Eleusinian Mysteries

• 1. Origins And Mythology

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  The Eleusinian Mysteries began as a Bronze Age agrarian cult centered at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece. Archaeological evidence suggests these rites were derived from religious practices of the Mycenean period, predating the Greek Dark Ages. Excavations have revealed a private building existed under the Telesterion during that era, indicating the cult of Demeter was originally private before becoming public. The core narrative stems from one of the Homeric Hymns dated to approximately 650 BC. This hymn recounts how Persephone, also known as Kore or maiden, was seized by Hades while painting flowers on earth. Her mother Demeter searched high and low for her daughter, causing a terrible drought that killed many people and deprived gods of sacrifice. Zeus eventually allowed Persephone's return after she had eaten pomegranate seeds in the underworld. A rule of the Fates dictated anyone who ate food in the underworld must spend eternity there. Thus Persephone returned to the underworld for four or six months each year depending on the telling. During this time Demeter neglected to cultivate the earth until her daughter returned. The cycle repeated annually with Persephone's rebirth symbolizing the rebirth of all plant life.

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• 2. Ritual Structure And Practice

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  The Lesser Mysteries took place in the month of Anthesterion, falling in mid-winter around February or March under Athens' archon basileus. Participants sacrificed a piglet to Demeter and Persephone then ritually purified themselves in the river Ilisos. Upon completion they were deemed mystae worthy of witnessing the Greater Mysteries. The Greater Mysteries occurred in Boedromion, the third month of the Attic calendar, lasting ten days from late summer around September or October. On the 14th of Boedromion sacred objects traveled from Eleusis to the Eleusinion temple at the base of the Acropolis of Athens. Priests declared the start of rites on the 15th while carrying out sacrifices. Seaward initiates began their journey on the 16th by washing themselves in the sea at Phaleron. The procession started at Kerameikos on the 18th along the Sacred Way where people swung branches called bacchoi. At certain spots participants shouted obscenities commemorating Iambe who made Demeter smile during her mourning. An all-night vigil followed upon reaching Eleusis perhaps commemorating Demeter's search for Persephone. Initiates entered the great hall called Telesterion on the 19th where only hierophants could enter the central palace known as Anaktoron.

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• 3. Priesthood And Participants

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  The priesthood officiating at the Eleusinian Mysteries divided into several offices with different tasks. Six categories of priests served including Hierophantes male high priests whose office was inherited within the Phileidae or Eumolpidae families. A High Priestess of Demeter held equal rank to the Hierophant and impersonated both goddesses during reenactments. Events at Eleusis were dated by the name of the reigning High Priestess. Dadouchos men served as torch bearers second-highest role next to Hierophantes. Dadouchousa Priestesses assisted them while Hierophantides included two married priestesses one serving Demeter and another Persephone. Panageis or melissae formed a group of priestesses living secluded from men. Only requirements for membership were freedom from blood guilt meaning never having committed murder and not being a barbarian unable to speak Greek. Men women and even slaves received initiation. Under Peisistratos of Athens the mysteries became pan-Hellenic drawing pilgrims from Greece and beyond. Around 300 BC state control passed to two families: the Eumolpidae and Kerykes leading to vast increases in initiates.

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• 4. The Kykeon Debate

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  Scholars have long debated whether a special drink called kykeon induced visionary states during ceremonies. Initiates consumed barley mixed with pennyroyal which has inspired speculation about psychotropic effects from ergot fungus growing on barley. Ergot contains alkaloids similar to LSD according to some researchers. Modern attempts preparing kykeon using ergot-parasitized barley yielded inconclusive results though Alexander Shulgin described ergonovine producing LSD-like effects. Discovery of ergot fragments inside vases at Mas Castellar site in Girona Spain provided legitimacy for this theory. Fragments appeared within dental calculus of a twenty-five-year-old man offering evidence of consumption. Other candidates include psychoactive mushrooms like Psilocybe cubensis speculated by Robert Graves and Terence McKenna. Amanita muscaria also suggested as an ingredient alongside poppy-derived opioids since opium production occurred in Crete. DMT occurring in wild Mediterranean plants including Phalaris or Acacia represents another possibility requiring combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors like Syrian rue. Skeptical scholars note lack of solid evidence stressing collective rather than individual character of initiation into mysteries.

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• 5. Imperial Adoption And Decline

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  In 170 AD the Temple of Demeter suffered sackage by Sarmatians before rebuilding under Marcus Aurelius who became only lay person ever entering Anaktoron. As Christianity gained popularity during fourth and fifth centuries Eleusis prestige faded significantly. Julian reigned from 361 to 363 attempting restoration of mysteries becoming last emperor initiated into them. Closing happened in 392 AD reported by Eunapius historian biographer Greek philosophers. Eunapius had been initiated by last legitimate Hierophant commissioned by Julian to restore decaying mysteries. In 396 king Alaric I looted remains shrines during raiding campaign Attica despite destruction elements survived countryside peasants transferring rites onto Saint Demetrius Thessaloniki gradually becoming local patron agriculture heir pagan mother goddess. Augustus Hadrian Commodus Gallienus and other notable figures participated throughout history demonstrating imperial adoption across centuries.

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• 6. Cultural Legacy And Art

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  Many paintings pottery pieces depict various aspects Mysteries including Ninnion Tablet found sanctuary mid-fourth century BC showing procession initiates holding bacchoi. The Eleusinian Relief late fifth century BC displays Triptolemus receiving seeds teaching mankind work fields grow crops Persephone protecting him. Vases relief sculptures fourth fifth sixth centuries BC show Triptolemus holding ear corn sitting winged throne chariot surrounded pine torches. Monumental Protoattic amphora middle seventh century BC depicts Medusa beheading Perseus blinding Polyphemos Odysseus companions Archaeological Museum Eleusis keeps it inside site itself. Myth Er part Plato Republic thought representation teaching Eleusinian Mysteries where Er killed battle brought underworld reincarnated without drinking River Lethe retaining memories telling living about experience no longer fear death. Carl Gustav Jung borrowed terms interpretations late nineteenth early twentieth century classical scholarship German French source metaphors reframing psychoanalytic treatment spiritualistic ritual initiation rebirth qualities Kore figured prominently writings. Contemporary works like Dimitris Lyacos With People Bridge combine elements mysteries Christian tradition convey collective salvation using pomegranate symbol hinting residence dead underworld periodical return world living.

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