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A votive plaque known as the Ninnion Tablet depicting elements of the Eleusinian Mysteries, discovered in the sanctuary at Eleusis (mid-4th century BC). The Eleusinian Mysteries (Greek: Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια, romanized: Eleusínia Mystḗria) were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece.
One particularly distinctive epithet she bore was Demeter Melaina (Ancient Greek: Δημητηρ Μελαινα), meaning “Black Demeter” and referring to an Arcadian version of her mythology. The ancient Greek travel writer Pausanias records a myth where, whilst searching for her lost daughter Kore, Demeter was pursued by the god Poseidon .
As hierophants, they popularized the cult and allowed many more to be initiated into the secrets of Demeter and Persephone. [ 1 ] The legendary genealogy of the Eumolpidae cast them as descendants of Eumolpus , one of the first priests of Demeter at Eleusis, through his second son, Herald-Keryx .
Triptolemus' first introduction to Demeter is during Demeter's search for her daughter following the abduction of Persephone.While Demeter, in the guise of an old woman [8] named Doso, [9] was searching for her daughter Persephone (Kore), who had been abducted by Hades (Pluto), [10] she received a hospitable welcome from Celeus, the King of Eleusis.
Thus, Demeter, in her sadness, neglects to nourish the earth for the months that Persephone is gone, only doing so when she returns, until the process repeats again. These episodic periods became the winter and spring seasons, with the "death" and "rebirth" of Persephone being allegorical for the cycle of life and the experience of all beings. [9]
Their joint cult recalls Demeter's search for Persephone after the latter's abduction into the Underworld by Hades. At the Aventine, the new cult took its place alongside the old. It did not refer to Liber, whose open and gender-mixed cult played a central role in plebeian culture as a patron and protector of plebeian rights, freedoms and values.
Ephesos: Cult of Demeter and Kore, celebrated at night-time. [148] Priene: Cult of Demeter and Kore, similar to the Thesmophoria. [35] Sicily. Syracuse: There was a harvest festival of Demeter and Persephone at Syracuse when the grain was ripe (about May). [149] A fest Koris katagogi, the descent of Persephone into the underworld. [35] Libya
The relief is made of Pentelic marble, and it is 2,20 m. tall, 1,52 m. wide, and 15 cm thick. [4] It depicts the three most important figures of the Eleusianian Mysteries; the goddess of agriculture and abundance Demeter, her daughter Persephone queen of the Underworld and the Eleusinian hero Triptolemus, the son of Queen Metanira, [3] [4] in what appears to be a rite. [1]