Summary:This paper is aimed to analyze several different aspects of the cult of Hera in Magna Graecia -from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period -where the goddess was already worshipped since the foundation of most ancient colonies in southern Italy. By examination both of the ancient Greek sources and the archaeological evidences, we tried to outline the features and the duties of the goddess over time, also comparing all the detected data with the Greek world. The result will perhaps help in defining them better than has been done hitherto.Key words: Magna Graecia, cult of Hera, Heraion of Foce Sele (Poseidonia), Achaean colonies, marriage, childbirth, motherhood INTRODUCTION (C.M.M.)Taking part in the panel "Which Maternity for Hera/Juno? Myths and Cults between Greece, Magna Graecia and Rome", offered us the opportunity to reflect, although in preliminary fashion, on the aspect of Hera as patroness of women and her role in watching over the phases of transition to matrimony and procreation in the Greek world and in Magna Graecia through a discussion of the ancient Greek sources and archaeological evidence.In some of the main sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess in the Greek world (Perachora, Argos, Samos and Tiryns), the nature of the offerings, in particular the coroplastics, suggests these were cults centred on fertility, which Hera supervised as queen and patroness of the citizens. She assumed the function of the guardianship of matrimony, of which she is known as the "custodian of the keys", 1 and of all consequent 1 Aristoph. Thesm. 973-976. 338MARIALUCIA GIACCO -CHIARA MARIA MARCHETTI Acta Ant. Hung. 57, 2017 moments. The statuettes of Hera and Zeus seated on a single throne 2 are a reference to the royal sacred conjugal union "mythical and ritual model of monogamous marriages".3 They are Hera Teleia and Zeus Teleios, "Masters of the House", 4 the couple that protected the marital union and which, through religious ceremonies sanctioning marriage, guaranteed the nuptial rites, with their consent sealing the union's validity in society. Indeed, for the Greeks matrimony was of the utmost importance, expressing attainment of maturity for both sexes, as defined in the religious context by Hera Teleia, providing the necessary foundation for the procreation of legitimate offspring and for the perpetuation of civil society. From this point of view, the context and reasoning behind the dedication to the goddess expressed in an epigram from the Palatine Anthology, 5 clarifying why the young bride-to-be, Alcibia, would have "dedicated the veil from her hair to Hera, when she entered into lawful marriage."The idea that marriage and fertility were the fulfilment of a woman's nature is clearly represented by the female games held at Olympia every four years. 6 As part of this celebration, held in honour of Hera (the Heraia), the parthenoi took part in sport and musical competitions, both opposite and complementary to the male competitions at the Olympics. Pausanias 7 offers detailed evidence of these games an...
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