Temple of Demeter. Temple of Demeter (Telesterion) Temple of Demeter at Eleusis

Elefsin- This small town Greece 22 kilometers from Athens. In ancient times it was connected with them by a sacred road and was famous for its wheat production. The first settlement here appeared in the Neolithic era. As a city it was founded around 2000 BC. and was considered a powerful city in Mycenaean period. Elefsin became famous thanks to the mysteries that were held there. What is it? These are initiation rites in goddess cults. Demeters And Persifons, which were held there annually for 2000 years.
The mysteries were based on myths about Demeter. Her daughter Persephone was kidnapped Hades, god of the underworld. Demeter, who was the goddess of life and fertility, went on a search after her daughter was kidnapped. Having learned from Helios about her fate Demeter she retired to Eleusis and swore an oath that until her daughter was returned to her, not a single sprout would break out of the ground. Worried about crop failure Zeus ordered Hades to return Persephone. After the return of her daughter, Demeter allowed the earth to blossom and, in joy, revealed her sacred rites and mysteries to King Kelei and the princes Triptolemus, Eumolpus and Diocles.
But since Hades gave Persephone a pomegranate seed to eat before leaving the underworld so that she would return to him, Demeter’s daughter could not stay with her mother for long. The gods came to an agreement that Persephone would live in the Upper World for two thirds of the year, and devote the remaining time to the Underworld Lord.
Eleusinian Mysteries reenacted the comeback Persephone from the Underworld, just as seeds thrown into the ground in autumn return every year in the spring, being a symbol of the resurrection from the dead. Celeus was the first priest of Demeter, initiated into her rites and secrets, and his son Triptolemus, taught by the goddess the art of growing wheat, revealed it to other people throughout the earth.
Temple of Demeter was considered one of the most significant sanctuaries from the Mycenaean period to the 4th century AD.
During the time of Peisistratus (550-510 BC), the Eleusinian Mysteries acquired great importance and pilgrims came from all over Greece to participate in them. A prerequisite for admission to the mysteries was non-involvement in murder and knowledge of the Greek language (not for barbarians). Women and some slaves were allowed to participate.

Roman Emperor Theodosius I the Great closed the sanctuary in the interests of fighting paganism and strengthening Christianity, and in 396 AD. the city was destroyed by the Goths.

In 1882, excavations revealed part of the sacred road that led from Athens to Elifsin, the remains of sanctuaries from the 6th century BC - 3rd century AD, fragments of architectural monuments: a necropolis with tholos and a megaron (XV-XIII centuries BC). BC) and a sanctuary with the remains of telestyrions located one below the other from the time of Pericles. The Greater and Lesser Propylaea and two triumphal arches and the Temple of Artemis from the ancient Roman period were also found. The fortress walls are no less interesting. Ancient city strongly resembles a fortress. On the territory of the archaeological excavations there is a local one, where you can get acquainted with the artifacts found here.

By the way, Elefsin is the birthplace of the famous, who was born here in 525 BC.

Excavation opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:00-15:00

How to get to Elefsina:
- by car from Athens (21-5 km) along the Athens-Corinth highway E08
- on commuter train from Athens, Magula station, then by bus 863. You can take the train at Nerazietissa station
- by buses A16 and B16 from Athens. Buses depart from Kumunduru Square, Estavromnu (line 3)
- by bus from Athens to Vallia and Megara (Elephsin stop). Buses depart from Agion Asomaton Square, Thissio metro station

Photo and text: Alexander Frolov

The Archaeological Site of Eleusis
Once upon a time, this was the place where the ancient Greeks worshiped Demeter, the Olympian Goddess of agriculture and fertility, and her daughter, Persephone. It was one of the most significant sanctuaries in the antiquity, from the Mycenean period (1350 BC) until the end of the 4th century A.D. Demeter taught the people of Eleusis how to cultivate their land and introduced them to the sacred ceremonies, the so called “Mysteries of Eleusis”, for which she required absolute secrecy.

It was around the 2000 BC when Eleusis was founded, on the slopes of the eastern hill of a low mountain range, in the south-west corner of Thriassion Plain, near the Eleusinean Gulf. During the Mycenean period it was a powerful city and at that time was when the imposing Mycenean Mansion was built, which is said that was the first temple of Demeter and was located on the north-east of the later Classical Telesterion, the main temple of the goddess.

During the geometrical period (1100-750 BC) two things happened: The private houses were replaced by the sanctuary of Demeter, and the worship of the goddess escaped from the local context and expanded throughout Greece (around the half of the 8th century BC) . In the early 6th Century BC, in the time of Solon, Salamina was annexed to Athens and the Mysteries of Eleusis were established as a glorious Athenean Fest. In the time of Peisistratοs (550-510 BC), powerful walls with towers surrounded the city and the sanctuary.

The Persians destroyed the sanctuary in 480 BC, but it was renovated with new buildings, along with the new Telesterion and the Stoa of Philo. In the Roman times, the sanctuary was adorned with new brilliant edifices, such as the Great Propylaea, the triumphal arches, a fountain, temples and altars, experiencing a new heyday, which would be the last though. In the 4th century AD the Mysteries went into decline, while the sanctuary was plundered by Visigoths under Alaric and converted into ruins.

Today, entering the place, you will see the Roman Courtyard with the temple of Propylaea Diana, the Eschara (with altars for the Gods), the Roman Fountain and the two triumphal arches. After the Great Propylaea, you will enter in the temple of Demeter and you also see the “Kallichoron Frear”, which was the well on which, according to mythology, Demeter sat and lamented her daughter, Persephone, after her abduction by Pluto. After the Small Propylaea, there is the Plutonio, a shallow cave with carved steps that lead inside. From this cave, Pluto, the God of Hades, had come out and kidnapped Persephone. The last building you will see is the Telesterion, the main temple of the goddess.

The Archaeological Site of Eleusis, Eleusis, Attica. Visiting hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8:00-15:00. Closed on Monday. Ticket prices: Unified ticket (full) 3 euros, (reduced) 2 euros. Valid for: The Archaeological Site of Eleusis, the , the Sanctuary of Venus Skaramagka.

How to get there: By car from Athens (distance 21.5 km) via Athenon Avenue and National Road Athens-Corinth/E08. By suburban from Athens, stop “Magoula” and then with the local bus line 863. By the city bus lines A16 and B16 (starting point Koumoundourou Square in Athens or Estavromenou Square, metro line 3). By bus to Villia or Megara (with stop in Eleusis). The buses depart from the Agion Asomaton Square, Thiseion, Athens (metro station Thiseion).

SANCTUARY OF DEMETER NEAR ANAPA
A very interesting project of the Archeology Foundation is excavations on what was found in the fall of 2010 in the village of Vestnik near Anapa sanctuary of the Eleusinian goddesses Demeter and Cora-Persiphone.

Employees and volunteers of the Foundation, as well as scientists from the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the South Russian Center took part in the implementation of the project archaeological research. The excavations yielded sensational results. The sanctuary was built on an area that was traditionally considered a settlement site for local barbarian tribes. The remains of the temple, discovered in 2010, were dated to the 6th century BC.
Further clearing of the foundation also revealed interesting structures. Archaeologists and volunteers found a perfectly preserved drain, built from vertically standing stone slabs and semicircular tiles that formed a gutter. According to the boss Eastern Bosporan archaeological expedition of candidate of historical sciences Nikolai Sudarev, such constructions are very unexpected in such a remote province of the ancient world, which the areas around the modern village of Vestnik were still considered to be.
The sanctuary was built in best traditions greek architecture this time. The area of ​​the found structure is impressive, about 200 square meters. There were probably 4 columns, and an altar was located at the entrance (outside). A stone paved path led to the altar. Of course, only the foundations have been preserved, but they have been preserved entirely, as have the first rows of masonry, which allow us to judge the quality and architecture of the building. It is already clear that the building was covered with painted plaster and covered tiles of the Laconian type, rare for the Bosporus. And one more discovery - until now, the production of tiles at such an early time has not been recorded on the territory of the Bosporus! Later, in the 5th century, the building was rebuilt - internal walls appeared, the roof was re-covered (with the usual flat tiles - ceramides) for the Bosporus. And again of our own production! And at the beginning of the 4th century the building, for some reason, ceased to exist.
This complex is unique not only for our country (there are no more ancient temples of the 6th-5th centuries BC on the territory of present-day Russia), but also for the former CIS, where the remains of early temples are also not so preserved. Similar structures exist only on the territory Greece and Southern Italy, where large tourist centers are formed around them (Agrigento, Selinunte, etc.)
The scale of the discovered ancient cult complex is too large to ensure its basic preservation with the available resources, not to mention the further development of the complex, which is subject to daily robbery, both from “black archaeologists” and local population, using archaeological sites as material for the construction of foundations and sheds. In addition, those monuments that have already been found by archaeologists lack funding for protection and museumification. Therefore, the discovered monument had to be temporarily preserved, that is, buried back in order to preserve it from destruction and looting. And then dig again...

It is clear that in addition to excavating this religious building, it is necessary to organize a museum complex on its basis. Such an object can become a unique tourist and exhibition center on a global scale.
It can be added that the Anapa region and the Taman Peninsula are the only region in Russia where ancient civilization is vividly and fully represented. Here, 25 centuries ago, Greek colony cities were founded - Hermonasa, Phanagoria, Gorgippia and many others, which were centers of ancient Greek culture.

Hellenic culture was replaced by Slavic - the famous Principality of Tmutarakan, then came Turkic period. Epochs and states changed, but here, in these cities, people lived continuously all this time. Here, like nowhere else, you can trace the continuity of Russian culture and see with your own eyes its ancient multinational roots. It is safe to say that from the point of view of historical, social and cultural geography, this is a unique region.

After a while, the expedition returned to the excavations. The first to be found was a unique figurine - face of the goddess Demeter. Judging by the scale of the mounds - and they reach the height of a five-story building - these are royal burials, similar to the world famous Seven Brothers Mounds, located in the immediate vicinity.

The main temple dedicated to the goddess Demeter - Telesterion, was built in the 5th century BC. designed by the architect Iktin. It could simultaneously accommodate several thousand people. At its center was the anaktoron - the most sacred part of the sanctuary. At the entrance to the Temple of Demeter, the Sacred Road leading from Keramikos in Athens ends.

The Eleusinian Mysteries were one of the most important festivals in Ancient Greece. They were carried out for 1500 years, until in 392 the pagan Eleusinian temple was closed by Emperor Theodosius, who cleared the way for the Christian faith, and 4 years later destroyed by the Visigoths. The Eleusinian Mysteries are initiation rites in the cults of the fertility goddesses Demeter and Persephone. Of all the rites of antiquity, the Eleusinian Mysteries were considered the most important.

The main entrance to the sanctuary was the Great Propylaea, a majestic marble colonnade erected in the 2nd century. AD in imitation of the Propylaea Athens Acropolis, built in 437-432 BC. The structure was raised above the square by 5 steps; along the façade it had 6 columns of the Doric order. The middle opening between the columns was wider than the others, and here was the main passage, on both sides of which there were 3 internal Ionic columns.

According to legend, Hades, the god of the underworld of the dead, kidnapped the beautiful Persephone, the daughter of the fertility goddess Demeter. Demeter wandered around the earth for a long time in search of her daughter, and the road led her to Eleusis, where she, tired, sat down to rest in a cave. Here the daughters of King Kelei found the goddess in the form of an old woman and offered her shelter.

Demeter grieved terribly for her daughter, and the whole earth grieved with her - the fields were empty, the gardens did not bloom, and the cattle did not breed. Zeus found out about this and ordered to find Persephone. When they found her in the dark kingdom of Hades, Persephone asked to go upstairs to see her mother. Hades let her go, but on the condition that she would return. Since then, Persephone has lived for two-thirds of the year on earth with her mother Demeter, and for 4 months she returns to her husband Hades in the underworld. And then all nature fades along with the goddess of the Earth, yearning for her daughter.

In gratitude for their hospitality, Demeter taught the children of Kelei the rituals that must be performed in order for the earth to bear fruit. Since then, twice a year, in spring and autumn, mysteries were held in Eleusis - holidays in honor of the goddess Demeter. Anyone who spoke Greek and did not stain their hands with blood could take part in the Lesser Spring Mysteries. But only initiates took part in the Great Mysteries.

The autumn holidays in honor of Demeter lasted 9 days - rituals, sacrifices were performed, processions with torches, dances and performances were held. On the 6th day of the celebration, a huge procession set out from Athens Ceramics to Eleusis along the Sacred Road. Some walked on foot, and some in chariots, but in front of the city, crossing the river on a narrow bridge, everyone became participants in a walking procession. This part of the ritual seemed to say that by crossing the River Styx, which separates the kingdom of the dead from the kingdom of the living, everyone becomes equal.

Only the chosen ones went through the last stage of the mysteries - they retired to a part of the temple of Demeter closed from prying eyes and performed the sacrament.