in ancient mythology, a goddess, the idea of whom, among the Romans, seems to have been much the same with that of eternal youth, or an immortality of bliss; agreeably to which, she is represented on a gem, in the great duke's collection at Florence, with a young airy look, and drinking out of a little bowl; or, according to Milton's expression, "Quaffing immortality and joy." She is fabled to have been a daughter of Jupiter and Juno. According to some she was the daughter of Juno only, who conceived her after eating lettuces. As she was fair and always in the bloom of youth, she was called the goddess of youth, and made by her mother cup-bearer to all the gods. She was dismissed from her office by Jupiter, because she fell down in an indecent posture as she was pouring nectar to the gods at a grand festival; and Ganymedes, the favourite of Jupiter, succeeded her as cup-bearer. She was employed by her mother to prepare her chariot, and to harness her peacocks whenever requisite. When Hercules was raised to the rank of a god, he was reconciled to Juno by marrying her daughter Hebe, by whom he had two sons, Alexiares and Anicetus. As Hebe had the power of restoring gods and men to the vigour of youth, she, at the instance of her husband, performed that kind office to Iolaus his friend. Hebe was worshipped at Sicyon, under the name of Dia, and at Rome under that of Juventas.