MMW 12 Chapter Rome: Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World
15 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Mystery cults in the greek and roman world. Mystery cults fostered fascination amongst outsiders, and social bonds between its members. Evidence concerning mystery cults are confusing/ inconclusive: few written sources, late in date, have questionable aims and biases, themes concerning their purpose are very contradicting and different. Worship of agricultural deities demeter and daughter persephone (kore) Demeter gave the athenians gift of grain from this rose the cult. Great eleusinia grand procession from athens to eleusis. Initiates would mirror actions done by 2 goddesses in a sacred drama: only initiates could be participants. A small voluntary cult: supported by wealthy patrons. Took part in wild secret activities in the mountains: ecstatic dancing and drinking meant to transport members into wilderness literally and figuratively. Many of their beliefs came from thracian poet orpheus: for orphics, dionysos was a savior god. Started as family and later taken over by city-state (polis)
