Module 3: Research on Gods and Goddesses
Hera of Argos
In Greek mythology, Hera is Queen of the twelve Olympians, sister and wife of Zeus, and daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She is the goddess of marriage, women, family, and the protector of women during childbirth (Wikipedia, 2024a). Her worship, often centered in the ancient city of Argos, is deeply rooted in both mythology and civic identity.
On the Greek mainland, Hera was especially worshipped as Argive Hera at her sanctuary which stood between the former Mycenaean city-states of Argos and Mycenae. The Heraion, the most significant sanctuary dedicated to Hera within Argos, was located approximately five miles northeast of the city (University of Warwick, 2024). Here the festival of the Heraia were celebrated by her worshippers and the Priestesses of Hera (Wikipedia, 2024b). Established around 750 BCE, the sanctuary featured successive temples, the most renowned being a limestone structure designed by the architect Eupolemos in 423 BCE. This temple housed a gold and ivory statue of Hera crafted by the sculptor Polyclitus the Elder, and served not only as a religious center but also as a venue for communal gatherings and festivals (University of Warwick, 2024). The temples of Hera in the two main centers of her cult, the Heraion of Samos and the Heraion of Argos in the Argolis, are some of the earliest monumental Greek temples constructed.
The cult of Hera in Argos was characterized by unique rituals emphasizing her role in marriage and fertility, including the festival of the Heraia, which included athletic competitions and sacrifices in her honor (Miron Perez, 2007). Citizens of Argos believed Hera reclaimed her virginity annually, symbolizing the cyclical renewal of nature and sanctity of marriage (Wikipedia, 2024a). This belief was celebrated in ceremonies where Hera bathed in the spring of Kanathos, reflecting themes of purification and rebirth, and during the Argive new year festival new male citizens introduced themselves into the community. During the Heraia, the Priestess of Hera was carried on a cart drawn by white heifers alongside a Hecatombaia (one hundred cattle) to the sanctuary to perform the rites of sacrifice (Nagy, 2015). The festival also included an armed procession of male citizens and games where the prize was a bronze shield (Wikipedia, 2024).
In artistic representation, Hera is depicted as a majestic, mature woman embodying sovereignty and marital fidelity. Common symbols associated with her include the peacock, symbolizing beauty and immortality; the cow, representing motherhood and nurturing; and the pomegranate as a symbol of immortality and abundance. She is frequently portrayed wearing a polos, a high cylindrical crown, signifying her royal status, and holding a scepter, emphasizing her authority (Wikipedia, 2024a). In the literature of Homer's Iliad, Hera declares her favoritism for Argos, alongside Sparta and Mycenae.
Hera's worship in Argos was distinguished by rich iconography, deep civic connections, unique cult practices, and significant, remaining sanctuaries. Her veneration in the city underscored the importance of marriage, fertility, and sovereignty in ancient Greek society, with the Heraion sanctuary testament to her enduring legacy in the region.
References:
Miron Perez, M.D. (2007). The Heraia at Olympia: Gender and Peace. [Digital File]. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/4885236/The_Heraia_at_Olympia_Gender_and_Peace.
Nagy, G. (2015). On the festival of the goddess HΔrΔ at the HΔraion overlooking the Plain of Argos. Classical Inquiries. Retrieved from: https://classical-inquiries.chs.harvard.edu/on-the-festival-of-the-goddess-hera-at-the-heraion-overlooking-the-plain-of-argos/.
University of Warwick. (2024). Sanctuary of Hera, Argos (The Argive Heraion). Retrieved from: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/intranets/students/modules/greekreligion/database/clumbz/.
Wikipedia. (2024a). Hera. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera.
Wikipedia. (2024b). Priestess of Hera at Argos. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestess_of_Hera_at_Argos.
