Another noteworthy event, not actually held during the Olympic games, was the Heraia. Pausanias tells us that these games were established by Hippodameia in gratitude to Hera for her marriage to Pelops. In these games, virgin women from Elis ran a portion of the length of the stadium in a race. The winner received a crown of olive, meat from the sacrifices to Hera, and the right to dedicate a statue to Hera. The games ceased to flourish after Alexander the Great's death, though they were still supported and conducted. After the Roman invasion, the games continued to be honored, though Sulla pillaged the treasuries of Olympia in 85 B.C. Augustus supported the games, but Nero made a mockery of them, ordering them to be held several years early so that he might compete in them. He "miraculously" won multiple events, some of which he invented for himself. His victories were not recognized by the Eleans. During the 2nd century AD, the games were again revived under Hadrian and they gained an international flavor as athletes from all countries were allowed to compete. Later, Theodosius, his successors, and various natural catastrophes put a permanent end to both the games and Olympia itself.