Hera
by CTCWeb Editors
Associated Rituals
An important part of the nature of a god or goddess may be discerned from the rituals performed for the favor of that god or goddess. Students should look at the rituals performed in favor of Hera. Students will also want to look at where the rituals are performed, who performs the rituals and whether the societies that include these rituals in their religious practices worship only Hera or Hera along with other gods and goddesses.
Below are some archaeological and textual examples of ritual sacrifices to Hera and rituals that are part of the festivals for Hera.
Architecture
Perachora, Sanctuary of Hera Limenia.
Samos, Great Hera Temple.
Delos, Temple of Hera.
Olympia, Temple of Hera.
Textual
Site Description, Perachora - Perachora was the last point in the Corinthian territory that colonist would pass through on their voyages. It was also the first point merchants would reach with their goods. Many offerings were made at this sanctuary in hopes of securing safe passage and profitable enterprises.
Historical Overview, 4.10 The Olympic Games of Zeus and Hera - Not much is known about the games held in honor of Hera. We do know that unmarried women competed in foot races. Historical Overview, 4.11 Competition and Community - The games held in Hera’s honor were open to all Greeks.
Pausanias 2.15.4 - “The oldest tradition in the region now called Argolis is that when Inachus was king he named the river after himself and sacrificed to Hera.” Pausanias 2.17.2 - The river Asterion flowed above the Heraeum and on its banks a plant, called asterion, grew. The plant was woven into garlands and offered to Hera. Pausanias 2.17.6 - In Roman times, the emperor Hadrian dedicated a gold peacock at the altar of Hera. Hadrian believed the peacock to be sacred to Hera. Also there was a golden crown and a purple robe offered by the emperor Nero. Pausanias 2.24.2 - The Nemean games were held in honor of Nemean Zeus and at the festival of Hera. Pausanias 2.25.10 - When rain was needed, the people of Lessa would sacrifice to Hera at her altar on top of Mount Arachnaeus. Pausanias 2.38.2-3 - “Here, say the Argives, Hera bathes every year and recovers her maidenhood. [3] This is one of the sayings told as a holy secret at the mysteries which they celebrate in honor of Hera.” Pausanias 3.13.9 - An oracle called for the building of Hera Hyperchemia when the river, Eurotas, flooded the land. In the sanctuary a wooden image appeared to which a mother would sacrifice before her daughter was married.
Pausanias 3.15.9 - The Lacedaemonians surnamed Hera “Goat-eater” and sacrifice goats to her. Pausanias says that Herakles was the first to sacrifice at the sanctuary. He had to sacrifice goats because he lacked other victims. Pausanias 5.13.8-9 - At an altar of Samian Hera, victims are sacrificed at the first stage of the altar, called the prothysis. The thigh bones of the victims were carried up to the highest part of the altar and burnt there. Pausanias 5.16.2-3 - At Scillus, a robe was woven for Hera every fourth year by the Sixteen women who also held games called Heraea. The games consist of foot-races ran by maidens. The races were run in heats based on age. When the maidens ran races they wore their hair to their knees and exposed their right shoulder to the breast. The winning maidens received crowns of olive and a portion of the cow sacrificed to Hera. The administers of the games were the Sixteen who were married. Pausanias 9.3.4-6 - This is a strange ritual that involves oaks, crows and the sacrifice of victims to Hera and Zeus. The victims are burned on a fire built with an oak selected by a crow. Wine and incense are burned inside the sacrificial victims.
