What was the role of Demeter and Persephone in the Eleusinian Mysteries?

The Creation of the Eleusinian Mysteries

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The Mysteries were created by Demeter as a remembrance to her lost daughter Demeter, as a result many of the rituals and sacrifices incorporated into the mysteries are to please Demeter and show her respect. The main leaders and parts within the ceremony represent aspects of Demeter's search for Persephone and are roles that are taken on by mortals in the place of Demeter. such as the, 'Priestess to Demeter' and 'the torch bearer' who represents Demeter's wonderings on earth in search of Persephone.

The Return of Persephone

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The Zeus and the other Gods tried to convince Demeter to return to her divine functions but she would not until her daughter was returned to her so Zeus sent Hermes to retrieve Persephone, but Hades had fed her a pomegranate which bound her to the underworld forever. Zeus was forced to make a compromise between Demeter and Hades. Persephone would spend four months in the underworld with Hades and the rest of the year she would spend with her mother Demeter, free. The Eleusinian mysteries represent the celebration of Persephone's return to her mother Demeter through the Lesser mysteries in March and her return to the underworld is celebrated by the Greater mysteries in September.

The search for Persephone

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Once Demeter discovered her daughter had been abducted she abandoned her divine functions on earth to search for her. Demeter, who looked after the crops and fertility of the land, refused to continue her divine role until her daughter was returned to her. Demeter searched the earth for days until she was found by Celeus who persuaded her to be a guest in his home. While in his home Demeter became particularly fond of his son and, one night, attempted to give him the gift of immortality but she was stopped by his mother, Demeter was not happy about not being able to complete the ritual, but then bestowed upon him the gift of teaching man how to work the land and make it fruitful once more. Many years later Demeter came back and took the boy, named Triptolemus, away and gave him knowledge about agriculture. Triptolemus then built a magnificent temple for Demeter in which many sacred rituals were performed such as the 'Eleusinian Mysteries' which were founded by Demeter.

The Abduction of Persephone

2011-07-24T14:47:00.000+10:00

There are many versions of Persephone's abduction the one we will use tells that Hades, god of the underworld, saw Persephone and fell deeply in love with her. So with the help of his brother, Zeus, Persephone's father he trapped Persephone one day when she was picking flowers, by producing a 'cosmic flower' that she would be unable to resist, then the earth opened up and she fell to the underworld and became the wife of Hades.

Who are Demeter and Persephone?

2011-07-24T14:38:00.000+10:00

Demeter and Persephone are among the lesser known gods, although Demeter is traditionally one of the twelve Olympians and looks after fertility. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, she is the wife of Hades and Queen of the underworld.