Harmonia was the goddess of concord and harmony in Greek mythology, the opposite of goddess Eris (strife). She was considered the daughter of either Ares and Aphrodite, or of Zeus and Electra. She was married to Cadmus, the founder and first king of Thebes, with whom she had six children; Ino, Polydorus, Autonoe, Agave, Semele, and Illyrius. When Cadmus was obliged to quit Thebes, Harmonia accompanied him. When they came to the Enchelii, they assisted them in their war against the Illyrians, and conquered the enemy. Cadmus then became king of the Illyrians, but afterwards he was turned into a serpent. Harmonia, in her grief stripped herself, then begged Cadmus to come to her. As she was embraced by the serpent Cadmus in a pool of wine, the gods then turned her into a serpent, unable to stand watching her in her dazed state
The best known story about Harmonia revolves around the cursed necklace that she received on her wedding day. All the gods were invited to the wedding of Cadmus and Harmonia; Cadmus then gave to his wife a robe and a necklace, which he had received either from Hephaestus or Europa. However, the necklace was cursed and brought misfortune to its owner. The necklace was inherited by the descendants of Harmonia, bringing bad luck to all of them.
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