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Glite Dictionary
Rhea

Rhea

15 9.8
A mother goddess in ancient Greek stories, wife of Cronus and mother of Zeus
  • proper noun
  • /ˈriːə/
  • Literature
translation icon : Rea
  • Lady Rhea
  • wife of Rhea
  • mother of Rhea

Examples

  • According to the Romulus/Remus legend, King Numitor of Alba Longa had an only child, Rhea Silvia.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Aganippe recognized Hera, Rhea, Isis, Luna, Nemesis, and the two males in residence, Eros and Ganymede.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • In ancient myths, Rhea was revered as the mother of the gods, especially Zeus.

  • The statue of Rhea depicted her gracefully holding a cornucopia, symbolizing fertility.

  • Every spring, the festival celebrated Rhea, honoring her role as the goddess of abundance.

Synonyms

Ops
vsRhea
  • Literature
41 9.9

Roman goddess of fertility and good harvests

is the Greek original whose role the Roman figure matches
Cybele
vsRhea
  • Literature
2 9.9

An ancient mother goddess from what is now Turkey linked to nature, fertility, and mountains

focuses on familial motherhood and specific myth roles rather than mountain cults
Dindymene
vsRhea
  • Archaic
9.9

A mother goddess from ancient Phrygia who people worship for life and fertility

centers on familial motherhood in Greek myth rather than local Phrygian nature cults

Compounds

genus Rhea
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of large, tall, flightless South American birds like small ostriches

Rhea americana
9.9

A large South American bird like an ostrich that runs fast, cannot fly, and has three toes

Surface Forms

Rhea main

Etymology

Rhea is a mother and fertility goddess in Greek myth; a helpful way to remember her is to think of her name like the Greek root rheo, which means 'to flow'. That's why she is seen as a life-giving, earth-connected mother who brings birth and growth.