Eleusinian Mysteries

The Eleusinian Mysteries were initiation rites for Demeter and Persephone held at Eleusis near Athens.

Established The rites were celebrated for many centuries and ended in the late fourth century CE, after imperial measures against pagan cults and the sack of Eleusis by Alaric's Goths in 396.^[1] Tradition / belief The Homeric Hymn to Demeter tells how Demeter searched for her daughter Persephone, taken by Hades, and founded the rites at Eleusis.^[2] Scholarly debate Because initiates were bound to secrecy, what happened in the final rite is uncertain. Theories range from a dramatic performance to a drink with psychoactive effects; the latter is not established.^[3]

References

↑ Jane Ellen Harrison, Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion (1903). public domain.
↑ H.G. Evelyn-White (trans.), Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica (1914). Loeb; public domain.
↑ Harrison (1903); later proposals cited only.

Independent educational project. Not affiliated with the Latin Mass Society (UK) or any church body. Claims are labelled per Help:Claim labels.

[1] Jane Ellen Harrison, Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion (1903). public domain.

[2] H.G. Evelyn-White (trans.), Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns and Homerica (1914). Loeb; public domain.

[3] Harrison (1903); later proposals cited only.

[1]

[2]

[3]