Hiereiai tes Heras en Argei

Hiereiai tes Heras en Argei ("Priestesses of Hera at Argos") was a work by the Greek historian Hellanicus of Lesbos, who lived around 480–395 BCE. Hellanicus was a significant figure in the development of historiography, attempting to establish a more scientific chronology than previously used.1

Instead of relying solely on poetic traditions, Hellanicus sought to record local memories and stories. For his chronological framework, he primarily used a list of the priestesses of Hera at Argos, supplemented by genealogies, athletic victor lists, and magistrate records. The most important sanctuary dedicated to Hera, queen of the gods, was the Argive Heraeum, located near Argos, Greece. This site housed a renowned gold and ivory statue of Hera sculpted by Polyclitus the Elder. Despite his innovative methods, Hellanicus was sometimes considered untrustworthy by ancient scholars due to his departure from common traditions.12