ELEUSIS (sanctuary in Attica)
Ancient Athenian deme
- Kind of place
- Sanctuary
- Region
- Attica
- Landmarks
- Temple of Triptolemus Pausanias 1.38.6; Temple of Artemis of the Portal Pausanias 1.38.6; Temple of Poseidon Father Pausanias 1.38.6; Sanctuary of Metaneira Pausanias 1.39.2; Well of Callichorum Pausanias 1.38.6; Anthium Well (Demeter) Pausanias 1.39.1; Graves of the warriors against Thebes (Warriors who marched against Thebes) Pausanias 1.39.2; Tomb of Alope Pausanias 1.39.3; Altar on the Rharian plain Pausanias 1.38.6; Wrestling Ground of Cercyon Pausanias 1.39.3; Road to Megara Pausanias 1.39.1
- People of myth here
- Celeus, Cercyon of Eleusis, Eumolpus, Iambe, Melanthus, Metanira, Triptolemus, Demeter, Procrustes
- Where
- 38.03° N, 23.53° E
The mysteries of Eleusis are described as having great antiquity and sanctity, and have become famous among all mankind. Diodorus 5.4 Celeus, the lord of Eleusis, welcomed Demeter at this location. Apollodorus 3.14.7 Eleusis houses the Mystic Enclosure, a structure built by Ictinus. Strabo 9.1.12
Described in the sources
The Temple of Demeter, also known as the temple dedicated to the Eleusinian Ceres, is located in Eleusis. Euripides, The Suppliants 1-41 +3 Eleusis is described as being located by the sea. Pindar, Olympian 9 ¶9 +2 Theseus defeated and killed the wrestler Cercyon, who had been killing travelers through wrestling, in this location. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.3 +2 Cleomenes and his Peloponnesian followers advanced into Eleusis during the fourth Dorian incursion, devastating the district of Orgas, which was sacred to the deities of Eleusis. Herodotus 5.74.2 +2 Salamis is located opposite Eleusis. Pausanias 1.35.2 +1 Eleusis is identified as the home and town of the goddess Ceres. Ovid, Heroides 4.51 +1 Demeter accepted the snake of Cychreus into Eleusis after it was expelled from its previous island. Strabo 9.1.9 +1 A portrait of Olympiodorus is located there. Pausanias 1.26.3 A painting of a girl by Irene is located in this place. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.40 ¶16 The Rheiti springs are located near the sea at Eleusis. Pausanias 2.24.6
Gods and worship
Priestesses were solemnizing a national festival in this place at the time. Athenaeus 3.50
Stories and history
Visitors to Eleusis are initiated in the sacred mysteries. Strabo 9.1.16 The Athenians chose this spot to confront the Spartan forces. Herodotus 5.74.2 The city is classified as one of the Athenian demi or burghs. Strabo 9.1.12 Persians had previously burned the temple of the goddess here. Herodotus 9.65.2 Eleusis was an adversary of the Athenians during a specific war. Pausanias 1.31.3 Cecrops is said to have founded Eleusis while ruling over Boeotia. Strabo 9.2.18 Macedonian forces raided the location during a period of conflict. Pausanias 1.26.3 Athenians joined the main force at this spot after crossing from Salamis. Herodotus 9.19.2 The Mystic Enclosure is large enough to hold a crowd similar to a theatre. Strabo 9.1.12 The hero Theseus killed the figure Cercyon within the boundaries of Eleusis. Ovid Met. 7.402-468 (3)
Myths set at Eleusis
- The Killing of Sciron. Sciron, a robber who forced travelers to wash his feet before kicking them into the sea to be eaten by a turtle, is killed by Theseus. Theseus casts Sciron into the sea as retribution after capturing Eleusis from the Megarians. Apollodorus, Epitome 1.2 +5 Sciron
- The Rescue of Demophon. hook: "A grieving goddess refuses a royal couch and demands a humble drink, revealing her divine nature to the ruler of Eleusis." goal: "She attempts to make the infant Demophon immortal by anointing him with ambrosia and hiding him in fire." outcome: "The mother's alarm interrupts the ritual, causing the goddess to reveal her identity, promise temple rites, and declare the boy mortal but honored."} Apollodorus 1.5.1 +5 Demeter
- The War of Eleusis and Athens. Eumolpus, a Thracian king, leads forces against Athens in a war with Eleusis. The conflict ends with Eumolpus's death in battle and a treaty that leaves him settled at Eleusis. Apollodorus 2.5.12 +5 Eumolpus
- The War with Eleusis. The Athenians appointed Ion as their commander for a war against Eleusis, leading to the adoption of the name Ionians. Ion was killed by Chromis during a battle in the river after Apollo failed to save him. Herodotus 8.44.2 +5
- The Establishment of the Eleusinian Mysteries. hook: "Demeter arrives at the house of Celeus in Eleusis and commands the construction of a temple on a rising hillock above Callichorus." goal: "She sets out to teach her sacred rites to the people and specific leaders to ensure they are performed reverently." outcome: "Demeter instructs Triptolemus, Diocles, Eumolpus, Celeus, and Polyxeinus in the conduct of her mysteries."} Hymn II to Demeter ll. 256-274 +3 Demeter
- The Persuasion of Demeter. Zeus sends Iris to summon Demeter from her temple at Eleusis. The goddesses promise Iris a golden necklace for her swift service. Hymn II to Demeter ll. 301-320 +2 Iris
- The Recovery of the Seven Against Thebes. hook: Adrastus supplicates Theseus to help recover the dead of the Theban war. goal: Theseus transports the dead to Eleusinian territory for burial. outcome: Theseus grants Adrastus the favor of burying the commanders near Eleusis. Pausanias 1.39.2 +1 Theseus
- The Snake of Cychreus. hook: "Demeter encounters the snake of Cychreus." goal: "" outcome: "The snake becomes an attendant of Demeter in Eleusis."} Strabo 9.1.9 +1 Demeter
- The Settlement of the Twelve Cities. Cecrops settled a large group of people in twelve different cities. He established settlements in specific locations including Epacria, Deceleia, and Eleusis. Strabo 9.1.20 Cecrops I