What is Heraia?
[[File:Olympia - Temple of Hera 2.jpg|thumb|Temple of Hera, Olympia]] The '''Heraia''' were [[footrace]]s held in [[honor]] of the [[goddess]] [[Hera]] in [[Olympia, Greece]] since early ancient times. The races were said to have been [[create]]d by [[Hippodameia]] in [[gratitude]] for her marriage to [[Pelops]]. Only [[virgin]]s from [[Elis, Greece]] [[compete]]d. They wore a short [[tunic]] that fell just above the knees. The right shoulder was bare to the breast. Competitors ran only about 160 [[meter]]s in the [[stadium]] of Olympia. This was somewhat short of the stadium's complete length. The [[judge]]s were 16 Eleian women. Every four years, they wove Hera's sacred ''peplos'' (dress), and took it to her Temple. The judges had two special dances: the Hippodameia and the Physkoa. The latter was [[dedicate]]d to a local [[nymph]] with whom [[Dionysos]] fell in love. Winners of the race [[received]] an [[olive]] [[branch]] [[wreath]] and a [[portion]] of the cow's [[meat]] [[sacrifice]]d to Hera. They had the right to [[dedicate]] their [[statue]]s to the [[Temple of Hera]]. The Heraia was not held during the years of the men's [[Olympic Games]]. About two years separated the events. {{Ancient Greece: Arts and Culture}} [[Category:Ancient sports]] {{history-stub}}