Rare Hera Statue Discovered

Greek archaeologists announced this week the discovery of a well-preserved statue of Hera at the base of Mount Olympus, mythical home to the Greek gods.

A statue of the Queen of the Greek Pantheon, Hera, was discovered by archaeologists at the ancient site of Dion. The statue, dating back to the 2nd century B.C., was located at the base of Mount Olympus, near the Temple of Zeus.

According to Greek archaeologist Dimitris Pantermalis, the statue, which is now headless and appears to be seated upon a throne, likely sat next to a cult statue of Zeus inside the temple. If this is proved to be true, it is the first known instance where more than one cult statue, as well as cult statue of a figure not directly associated with the temple, resided side by side within a temple. Pantermalis even thinks that a cult statue of Athena, Zeus' daughter, was housed in the temple as well.

The entire site of Dion has proven fruitful for archaeologists. Occupation began during the Iron Age, and the site was maintained through the Christian era, and was most notably a center of Macedonian occupation, archaeologists have discovered remains of temples, a theatre, baths, a stadium, and evidence of a drainage system.

These discoveries are truly exciting, and will enable archaeologists to continue to piece together the world of Ancient Greece, and to understand its culture better.

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