Naari-Magazine aug edition

competition called the stadion. The
participants were divided into different
age-groups which was further followed
by the competition being divided into
three races based on age.
‘The Heraean Games’ held every
four years were organised by a group
of sixteen women who were further
responsible for weaving a peplos, a
garment for Goddess Hera. According
to researchers, there are two stories,
which are associated over the origin of these
women. The first is based on the sixteen
women being selected by Hippodamia, the
queen of Pisa to compete in the games as a
sign of respect to Goddess Hera following her
marriage to Pelops who was the son of King
Tantalus of Lydia. The second theory suggested
that sixteen wise, elderly women were selected
to weave a robe for Hera every four years as a
sign of peace, to resolve a clash between the
cities of Pisa and Elis.
While it is believed that the women who
participated in the races were young and
unmarried, it will be incorrect to rule out the
possibility of married women being involved,
according to researchers. The races were
shortened for women by about one-sixth of the
length in comparison to men, resulting in the
stadion being 160 yards long in comparison to
the men’s race, which was about 200 yards long.
GREEK PHILOSOPHER ARISTOTLE
EVEN DESCRIBED WOMEN AS
“UTTERLY USELESS AND CAPABLE
OF CAUSING MORE CONFUSION
THAN THE ENEMY”
The races were said to be dominated by Spartan
girls because of the close proximity of the city,
with the winners gifted a crown of olive leaves
akin to that given to men at the ancient Olympic
Games. Not only this, they were also offered
a portion of the meat which was sacrificed to
the goddess Hera along with an opportunity to
inscribe their names on the pillars of the famous
temple of Hera.
The first winner of the Heraean Games
is believed to be Chloris who was the
granddaughter of Greek God Zeus and a niece of
Pelops, according to historians.
This valiant initiative by the women in
Greece despite being threatened by death
is certainly a tribute to the various sporting
achievements, which have been achieved by
women in the Olympics over the years.
By Our NAARI Delhi Correspondent
SPORTS
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR WOMAN | 41