CLAS 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Eleusinian Mysteries, Greco-Roman Mysteries, Metanira
Document Summary
During her quest to finding her daughter, she came across eleusis and sits by a well. Celeus" daughters see her (disguised as an old woman) and invite her back to the palace. Metaneira (queen) takes pity and allows her to be a nurse for the baby prince, demophon. Demeter is very motherly: wants to make the baby immortal. Baby is held in the fire nightly. Metaneira sees this and tries to take the baby, demeter is angered. Demands for a centre of worship: eleusis was the centre of a mystery cult. Different aspects: lesser ones held yearly; greater ones held every 5 years. Pan-hellenic: unifying force, open to all greek speakers without blood guilt (no murderers, etc. Demeter reveals the secrets of sowing and reaping to humans: tremendous gift. Gift of agriculture: led people to be able to settle down. Revealed to triptolemus who takes this to others to share.