Eileithýia

In Greek mythology, Eileithyia is the goddess of childbirth. She was the daughter of the god Zeus and the goddess Hera. Sometimes Hera and Eileithyia are merged into one person.

When the goddess Leto was about to give birth to Apollo, Hera tried to prevent the birth by not telling Eileithyia. But the goddess Iris came to the rescue and told Eileithyia about the birth. Leto eventually gave birth to Apollo, the god of sun and light, and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.

When the goddess Athe promised the first newborn dominion over all men, Hera stepped in again. And she did so by hastening the birth of Eurystheus, who was thus born first, while Heracles was born after him. Eurystheus then had to serve Heracles and perform a number of difficult tasks for him.

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