Demeter Temple at Eleusis

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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A number of important festivals and rites were connected with Demeter, as was common with fertility goddesses throughout the ancient world. One, the Tehsmorphoria (from Demeter's epithet Thesmophoros, which means "she of regular customs"), took place in the autumn and was designed to promote the fertility of the fields. As was the case with so many Demeter cults, this was held in complete secret and restricted to woman alone - no men were permitted.

Among the best known rituals held in honor of Demeter were the Eleusian Mysteries which occurred at Eleusis (near Athens), one of Demeter's most important temple sites. Initiates to the Eleusian Mysteries were guaranteed the favor of the goddess Demeter, promised an improved fate after death, and of course prosperity before death.

The exact nature of these rituals remains a mystery today because no one seems to have ever broken the bond of silence surrounding them. Only hints were ever let slip and we do know that induction into the mysteries consisted of three stages: meusis (initiation), teleth (perfection), and epopteia (beholding).

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