Eleusis

For more information on Eleusis, visit Britannica.com.

Eleusis, the most important town of Attica after Athens and Piraeus, situated about 20 km. (12 miles) north-west of Athens near the sea. It remained independent of Athens till perhaps as late as the seventh century BC. The myth of Erechtheus may reflect the Athenian conquest. According to ancient tradition it was at Eleusis that Persephone, who had been snatched away by Hades, god of the Underworld, was restored to her mother Demeter. Eleusis owed its fame to the mysteries traditionally instituted by Demeter herself and celebrated primarily in her honour. These attracted visitors from all over Greece and were much venerated. There is evidence that a cult was practised on that site in Mycenaean times; the magnificent telestērion (‘hall of initiation’) dates from the time of Peisistratus in the sixth century BC. There was much building in Roman times, including the great Propylaea (‘gateway’) finished by Marcus Aurelius (emperor AD 161–80). The sanctuary ceased to function after being sacked by Alaric and the Visigoths in AD 395. See also ELEUSINION.