Olympia 2- Women and the Games

' Olympia 2- Women and the Games

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Women and the Olympic Games

Heraea Games

The Sixteen Women- Ancient Priestesses

Women and Goddesses of Olympia

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Women and the Olympic Games

The ancient Olympic Games certainly marginalized the female sex. Pausanias relates the story of Callipateira, who dressed up as a trainer in order to see her son compete. He adds that when she inadvertently revealed her true identity in her excitement at seeing her son win, the Greeks were concerned enough by the breach of protocol to insitute a new rule requiring trainers as well as athletes to strip before entering the stadium. However, a female presence remained a strong undercurrent at Olympia. Although married women like Callipateira were forbidden to watch the Games, maidens could attend. And the Olympic rules did provide an exception for one married woman, the priestess of Demeter, who received honored seating by the altar in the stadium.

The Heraea Games

In fact, Olympia even offered an opportunity for female athletes to compete. The Heraea Games, administered by the Sixteen Women and other married women for maiden competitors, took place every four years. According to Pausanias, these games consisted of footraces, and the maidens competed against other maidens from their own age group. Pausanias adds that the maiden athletes competed in the Olympic stadium itself, although "the course of the stadium is shortened for them by about one-sixth of its length" (Pausanias, 5.16.3). While the Heraea Games may not have had the prestige of the men's Olympic competition, the Greeks still regarded them as a serious athletic event, and honored the victors accordingly. Pausanias tells us that "To the winning maidens they give crowns of olive and a portion of the cow sacrificed to Hera (see image of Hera to right). They may also dedicate statues with their names inscribed on them" (Pausanias, 5.16.3). The celebration of the Heraea Games and the obvious respect with which the Greeks regarded these Games and the maiden competitors reflects the existence of a strong female presence at Olympia.

The History and Mythology of the Heraea Games and the Sixteen Women

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