HOREA, in Antiquity, were solemn sacrifices, consisting of fruits and other products of the earth, offered in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, that heaven might grant mild and temperate weather. These, according to Meursius, were offered to the goddesses called Ἥραι, or Hours, who, being three in number, attended upon the sun, presided over the four seasons of the year, and had divine honours paid them at Athens.