Day 6: 'Telete' or rites near the Greater Propylae

After a reprieve and a nights sleep the initiates would await nightfall typically by watching the Archon Baselius and the ephebes make ritual sacrifice. Of keen interest surrounding the pomp of the day there are indications that physically fit young men would lift up not fully matured bull's to have its throat cut. This type of reenactment is not necessary but helps us understand some of the excitement surrounding the openess and importance of this preliminary event awaiting initiation proper. While waiting the initiates would have broken their fast by drinking the mythical drink from the Homeric hymn, Kykeon. A mix of penny royal, mint, barley, and unfermented wine. Here the initiates as well would have seen sacred objects, done sacred things such as move grain from basket to mortar, worked it and placed into a receptical, and said sacred things such as the initiation pass code.