HĒRAEA

( ἡραῖα ), the name of festivals celebrated in honour of Hera in all the towns of Greece where the worship of this divinity was introduced. The original seat of her worship was Argos; whence her festivals in other places were, more or le , imitations of those which were celebrated at Argos. Her service was performed by the most distinguished prieste es of the place; one of them was the high-prieste , and the Argives counted their years by the date of her office. The Heraea of Argos were celebrated every fifth year. One of the great solemnities which took place on the occasion, was a magnificent proce ion to the great temple of Hera, between Argos and Mycenae. A vast number of young men a embled at Argos, and marched in armour to the temple of the godde . They were preceded by one hundred oxen ( ἑκατόμβη , whence the festival is also called ἑκατόμβαια ). The high-prieste accompanied this proce ion, riding in a chariot drawn by two white oxen. The 100 oxen were sacrificed, and their flesh distributed among all the citizens; after which games and contests took place. Of the Heraea celebrated in other countries, those of Samos, which island derived the worship of Hera from Argos, were perhaps the most brilliant of all the festivals of this divinity. The Heraea of Elis, which were celebrated in the fourth year of every Olympiad, were also conducted with considerable splendour.