Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Scheria, Sexual Attraction, Eileithyia

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2200
• Professor: Aara Suksi

Document Summary

Important religious cult honouring demeter and persephone, celebrated annually: very important cult, celebrated annually that took several days. Based in eleusis (20 km from athens)- it"s a place! Initiation (purification, fasting and ordeal: you would be purified (fasting, not sleeping) Secret rituals (darkness, noises, movements, confusion then a dazzling light: enclosed in a dark place, vary mysterious noises and movements designed to create confusion, this all happens in a temple called eleusinian. Suddenly a blaze of light erupts: this is an experience that is meant to represent an ordeal, purification and a vision of the divine (dazzling and awe inspiring) Sacrifices would also be made to the goddesses. Persephone was a goddess who would grant specific favours. She had a temple in italy where it was thought she would descend to the underworld: actual human virgins before getting married would pay homage to her as they become brides themselves.