The Heraia (women's footraces) associated with Olympia (c.6th century BCE–3rd century CE)

1. Hera cult anchored at Olympia’s early Heraion

   Jan 1, 600 BCELabels: Heraion, Olympia

   • Britannica Olympia
   • UMich VRC
   • Pausanias 5 16

2. Heraia cycle described as four-year festival

   Jan 1, 580 BCELabels: Heraia, Peplos

   • Pausanias 5 16
   • Britannica Herean

3. Mythic founding linked to Hippodameia and Pelops

   Jan 1, 580 BCELabels: Hippodameia, Pelops

   • Pausanias 5 16
   • Britannica Herean

4. Sixteen Women institutionalized as festival organizers

   Jan 1, 580 BCELabels: Sixteen Women, Elis-Pisa

   • Pausanias 5 16

5. Footraces organized by age groups of maidens

   Jan 1, 550 BCELabels: Maidens, Age-groups

   • Pausanias 5 16
   • Britannica Herean

6. Distinctive race dress and public appearance described

   Jan 1, 550 BCELabels: Race dress, Pausanias

   • Pausanias 5 16
   • HISTORY Heraia

7. Shortened stadion course set for girls’ race

   Jan 1, 550 BCELabels: Stadion, Olympic stadium

   • Pausanias 5 16

8. Prizes: olive crowns and meat portion sacrifice

   Jan 1, 550 BCELabels: Prizes, Sacrifice

   • Pausanias 5 16

9. Winners could dedicate inscribed statues to Hera

   Jan 1, 550 BCELabels: Votive statues, Inscription

   • Pausanias 5 16

10. Laconian bronze running girl reflects early iconography

    Jan 1, 510 BCELabels: Laconian bronze, Iconography

    • BM Shop
    • HISTORY Heraia

11. Pausanias records the Heraia in the 2nd century CE

    Jan 1, 150Labels: Pausanias, Description of

    • Britannica Pausanias
    • Pausanias 5 16

12. Late antique shifts and site damage end regular festival life

    Jan 1, 360Labels: Late Antiquity, Heraion damage

    • Temple Hera
    • Britannica Olympia