But the sanctuary also honored an earth-mothers' union of fertility deities Granny Gaia, Mommy Rhea and Daughters Hera and Demeter.

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At the Acropolis Museum in Athens, there's a bas-relief of Hera, the queen of the gods, shaking hands with Athena, the goddess of wisdom which is apt, because the handshake is generally a wise move.

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Non-Greeks, slaves and women were barred from competing, and, with the exception of unmarried girls, from spectating as well (unmarried girls were also allowed to participate in a footrace at a separate religious festival in honor of the Goddess Hera).

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At 4.30am the crowds (only hundreds this time and arriving by car or scooter) gathered under the Column of Hera, the Greek name for Juno who, as Jupiter's spouse, was known as the Queen of the Heavens, a title later to be conferred on the Virgin Mary.

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