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That the peacock was specifically linked to Juno is affirmed in myth by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, Book 1, where he relates the story of Zeus, his lover Io, and his jilted wife Hera, the Greek equivalent to Juno. Ovid tells us that after Zeus was caught with his lover, she was turned into a pure white heifer by his enraged wife and set under the guard of Argus, the hundred-eyed watchman.
Sent by Jupiter to free Io, Hermes distracted Argus by playing the pan-pipes and telling stories, eventually slaying the giant and freeing Io. To honour her faithful watchman, Ovid tells us that Hera transferred Argus' eyes to the tail feathers of the peacock so as to preserve them forever.
The admiration of the peacock was nothing new even in Roman times, for it is said that upon reaching India Alexander the Great was so impressed with the variety and beauty of the plumage on this stately bird that he forbade killing them under the severest penalty. Though the Romans also held the bird in high esteem, they had no objections to eating the bird or its eggs. Although the peacock becomes commonplace on coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, especially as a symbol for the deified empresses, it was inaugurated by the Flavians on issues struck for Domitia and Julia Titi.
Sent by Jupiter to free Io, Hermes distracted Argus by playing the pan-pipes and telling stories, eventually slaying the giant and freeing Io. To honour her faithful watchman, Ovid tells us that Hera transferred Argus' eyes to the tail feathers of the peacock so as to preserve them forever.
The admiration of the peacock was nothing new even in Roman times, for it is said that upon reaching India Alexander the Great was so impressed with the variety and beauty of the plumage on this stately bird that he forbade killing them under the severest penalty. Though the Romans also held the bird in high esteem, they had no objections to eating the bird or its eggs. Although the peacock becomes commonplace on coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, especially as a symbol for the deified empresses, it was inaugurated by the Flavians on issues struck for Domitia and Julia Titi.