The Greek Goddess Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries

Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture, bread, and grain is one of the oldest deities in the ancient Greek pantheon, and not only that, she was an incredibly important one as the goddess that guaranteed the fertility of the earth. With her domain over agriculture, she was an essential deity for those working in farming and vegetation and in Rome, she remained popular and was known as Ceres.

From the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, we have the beginning of the Eleusinian Mysteries, in honour of Demeter and her daughter Kore-Persephone. This myth was symbolic of the changing of seasons, the cycle of life to death to rebirth as seen in summer moving to fall and winter and then the return of life in spring. This cycle became central to the sacred rituals that were part of the Eleusinian Mysteries and it is unsurprising that the sanctuary to Demeter at Eleusis was the most important, with its religious connection dating back to the Mycenaean civilisation of the Bronze Age.

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— CHAPTERS —
0:00​ Introduction
1:08 Who is the Goddess Demeter?
3:50 The Myth of Demeter and Persephone
9:54 The Eleusinian Mysteries
13:09 Outro

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— ATTRIBUTIONS —

The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:

World History Encyclopedia

#demeter #greekmythology #mythology

[WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Can you think of another example where a story from mythology may have been used to explain a natural phenomenon?

[wardafournello]

A beautiful myth, which describes the grief of the mother Demeter who loses her daughter so prematurely, and who tries to bring her back to life, while at the same time sharing the human pain of death. No other similar myth of another ancient people can be compared to the greatness of this Greek myth.

[Ghost-rbtg]

Demeter and Persephone's story is sad, yet the ancient Greek's view of the tale as a way to explain the cyclical character of nature is beautiful, I think. Demeter's almost frenzied worry for her daughter is tragic but her persistence in finding Kore is also hauntingly inspiring to me. Thanks again World History for your amazing content, I hope to see much more from you guys all the way down under!

[casscaulerpa]

Fantastic summary!! Awesome info. Cheers

[stevenbrown]

Excellent video. Thank you for posting.

[SparklesofGold]

I so love this channel! Is there any way you can get a mic for your recordings/camera? It would make a huge difference. Again thx for the videos!

[thomasvieth]

In certain aspects her story is related to that of Inanna and Ishtar. There is the journey into the underworld which has greater significance in the Inanna story but the relationship is palpable

[Eye_in-the-Sky]

Hi! I am interested in a few questions about the Eleusinian mysteries.
Question 1: At what time of the year did Hades kidnap Cora? In the myth of Demeter it is mentioned that Cora was picking flowers in the meadow and her attention was attracted by a daffodil. But these are spring flowers! So the kidnapping could have taken place in the spring? So, Cora (Persephone) had to spend her time in Hades in summer? That is, the burial of grain in the fall in the ground is not Persephone's sending to Hades, but on the contrary - reunion with her mother Demeter?
Question 2: What could the Anaktoron, a small structure inside the temple of Telesterion, have been? Could it have been an oven for baking bread? After all, there are mentions that a hole was made in the roof of Telesterion for the flames to escape. Besides, the story of Demeter's baking of the little prince Demophontes is remarkable. The goddess wanted to make him immortal, but his mother interrupted the sacrament. So, Demeter chose another, more difficult way for mankind - through farming, growing grains and baking bread. Through the eating of bread there is communion with the body of the goddess Persephone. And those of mortals who have tasted the god become immortal.
Question 3: Who is Brimos? During the final scenes of the mysteries, the Hierophant exclaims: "Brimo has given birth to Brimos!". That is, the Mighty One gave birth to the Mighty One. Some researchers believe that it could be Dionysus. But as a proof of the miracle to the participants of the mysteries the hierophant presented the wheat ear! How can it be connected with Dionysus?

[irvingmarquez]

Salve hermosa Demeter madre dadora del sustento!!!

[Sofia-wxht]

I may be going through the mysteries...😮🤔🤫

[jmboUnreal]

There is an interesting theory with more possible insights into the Eleusinian mysteries in the book The Immortality Key by Brian C. Muraresku. I can highly recommend it.

[starcapture]

her story origin both have roots in Egypt and Mesopotamia

[charleneterrell]

My daughter, Elese Eleanor Terrell, is my only princess.