Ritual path to initiation at Eleusis

Audience will participate in initiation into the mystery cult at Eleusis

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Ritual path to initiation at Eleusis

Athina, 105 53, Greece

Created By: Russell Egan

Tour Information

Participants will follow the ancient path on the sacred way to be 'initiated' into the mysteries of the Cult of Demeter at Eleusis. All of the locations on the path have been chosen because of the physical ruins near by, scenery and points to interact with. To increase the immersive experience technological innovation will be included to more appropriately adjust a modern audience to an ancient context. The reconstruction of the path of initiation is taken from many of the ancient sources, as well as modern scholarship. Although the trip would have been taken on foot or carriage for the day, modern convention has this particular journey as a walking/driving tour.


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What You'll See on the Tour

After the heralds of the two houses who ran the mysteries told prospective initiates the mysteries would be starting, those who had paid 5 obols(about a days work), had a mystagogos who had been initiated to vouch for them, and had no blood... Read more
The second day the initiates were to take their piglet and themselves to the ancient Piraeus bay, to cleanse themselves and their sacrifice. Day three they returned home, went to the Athenian agora and sacrificed their piglets. Most watche... Read more
after a day rest, and time for the festival of Asclepius to conclude, the initiates begin a 14 mile journey toward ancient Rheitoi. Here at the Archaeological Rheitoi museum they will re-enact the tying of the ribbons or the krokosis. A rib... Read more
As the procession got much closer to the telesterion and the temple complex, there was a sense of almost heightened mania, and zeal given the extent and physical exhaustion of the procession for almost 16 miles at this point. On the bridge ... Read more
Finally the initiates would enter the sanctuary from the east where closely situated was the Kallichoron well where Demeter can be seen portrayed. This well means literally 'beautiful dancing' and as the initiates arrived after the processi... Read more
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 ... Read more
after libations and sacrifices the initiates during the dark of night all piled into the telesterion. This structure could fit roughly 3000 people when in use and it consisted of 5 rows of 5 pillars, and the outside perimeter had seats that... Read more
After a day of rest, the second night of initiation would begin. This was reserved for those who had been initiated already, and were seeking the final experience. The narrative here again is largely lost but piecing together what we do kno... Read more

 

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