Cerberus was amongst the first brood of the monsters Typhon and Echidna. After the defeat of Typhon, Zeus sought out Echidna who had gone into hiding once she went into labor. Once Zeus found Echidna his hand was stayed by Hera who, as goddess of marriage, womanhood and birth, refused to allow Zeus to kill a mother who had just given birth, even a monster like Echidna. Zeus would spare Echidna and her monstrous children leaving them as adversaries for brave mortals to face. Echidna in gratitude to Hera, offered her her oldest son, Cerberus, as tribute. Hera was disgusted by the creature but knew better than to turn down such a gift or kill it outright, with Echidna as a potential ally, so instead Hera simply gave Cerberus to her brother Hades as a gift. Hades cherished Cerberus as a belove