Eileithyia (Ilithyia) was the goddess of childbirth in Greek mythology, with the power to either help or hinder childbirth. She most famously played a role in the birth of Hercules and Apollo. Eileithyia was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and often sided with her mother to make…
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Eileithyia (Ilithyia) was the goddess of childbirth in Greek mythology, with the power to either help or hinder childbirth. She most famously played a role in the birth of Hercules and Apollo. Eileithyia was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and often sided with her mother to make the births of Zeus' illegitimate children more difficult.
Eileithyia was often referred to in the plural form as Eileithyiai and as Hera's daughters before being transformed into a singular figure. Eileithyia was widely worshipped throughout the Greek world for hundreds of years. Her Roman counterpart was Lucina.
According to Hesiod (700 BC) in his Theogony, Eileithyia was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and the sister of Ares, the god of war, and Hebe, the goddess of eternal youth.
As the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia presided over the birth of humans and gods. According to Homer (750 BC), who referred to her both in the plural and singular forms, Eileithyia brought on the sharp labour pains that women suffered.
In his Histories, Herodotus (484-425/413 BC) writes about two Hyperborean girls, Hyperoche and Laodice, who travelled to the island of Delos to bring offerings to Eileithyia so that they may have an easy birth. Eileithyia had to be physically present for a birth to occur.
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