Eleusinion was a sanctuary in
Athens, Greece, dedicated to
Demeter and Kore (
Persephone
In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Persephone ( ; gr, Περσεφόνη, Persephónē), also called Kore or Cora ( ; gr, Κόρη, Kórē, the maiden), is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She became the queen of the underworld after ...
).
The temple was built in the early 5th-century BC. It was located at the base of the
Acropolis. Below it was a spring called ''Enneakrounos'' (Nine Jets). The building had a size of around 11 x 18m. It contained statues of Demeter and Kore as well as of
Iakkhos, a leader of the
Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries ( el, Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια, Eleusínia Mystḗria) were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Elefsina in ancient Greece. They are th ...
. Close by was another temple of
Triptolemus
In Greek mythology, Triptolemus ( el, Τριπτόλεμος, ''Triptólemos'', lit. "threefold warrior"; also known as Buzyges) is a figure connected with the goddess Demeter of the Eleusinian Mysteries. He was either a mortal prince, the el ...
. The Eleusinion played an important role in the
Panathenaic festival. It is known as the place where all sacred objects associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries were kept between ceremonies. It was also there preparations was made for the sacred processions of the Mysteries.
Pausanias Pausanias ( el, Παυσανίας) may refer to:
*Pausanias of Athens, lover of the poet Agathon and a character in Plato's ''Symposium''
*Pausanias the Regent, Spartan general and regent of the 5th century BC
* Pausanias of Sicily, physician of t ...
describe the sanctuary in the 2nd century:
:The Athenians have ... another
arbourat Phaleron, as I have already stated, and near it is a sanctuary of Demeter."
..On entering the city
f Athensthere is a building for the preparation of the processions, which are held in some cases every year, in others at longer intervals. Hard by is a temple of Demeter, with images of the goddess herself and of her daughter
ore
Ore is natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically containing metals, that can be mined, treated and sold at a profit.Encyclopædia Britannica. "Ore". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 7 Apr ...
and of Iakkhos
aimon leader of the Eleusinaian Mysteriesholding a torch.
.. n Athensis a spring called Enneakrounos (Nine Jets) ... Above the spring are two temples, one to Demeter and Kore (the Maid), while in that of Triptolemos is a statue of him ... After I had intended to go further into this story
f Triptolemos and Demeter and to describe the contents of the sanctuary at Athens, called the Eleusinion, I was stayed by a vision in a dream. I shall therefore turn to those things it is lawful to write of to all men. In front of this temple, where is also the statue of Triptolemos, is a bronze bull being led as it were to sacrifice.
.. ear the Akropolis of Athensthere is also a sanctuary of Ge Kourotrophe (Earth Nurse of Youth), and of Demeter Khloe (Green). You can learn all about their names by conversing with the priests.
[Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 22. 3]
The sanctuary was closed in the 4th-century during the
persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire. Few excavations has been made of it.
References
Eleusinian Mysteries
Temples in ancient Athens
Temples of Demeter
Temples of Persephone
5th-century BC religious buildings and structures
Destroyed temples
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