The Lesser Mysteries Of Ancient Greek Religion

Ancient Greek religion was heavily established in the social and political institutions of their world (Larson 4). Religion for the ancient Greeks was very individualistic, and as a group, society held no doubt that the gods existed and exercised control over life and death. The roles of the gods in Greek religion were influenced by the Greeks’ own belief, ensuring that their gods’ roles were “to guarantee and enforce moral conduct rather than define it.” (5). For each Greek polis, there was a “local pantheon” they uniquely worshipped, but as a collective group, there was a core group of 12-13 gods that mostly all poleis worshipped. This core group included Demeter, who was worshipped together with her daughter, Persephone (25). These gods

The Lesser Mysteries were closely related to Persephone, but Demeter was still viewed as an honored guest (240). From the limited information on the Lesser Mysteries, the process of purification was extremely important as it was the reason the cult was open to anyone. The purification process allowed for the possibility of foreigners or non-citizens of Eleusis or Athens (240). The Greater Mysteries was held annually in the month of Boedromion, which parallels now to sometime in September to the beginning of October (243). The mysteries officially began on the 15th day of Boedromion and continued for days until the 23rd day of Boedromion. However, there was a procession that occurred the day before where the sacred objects of Demeter were moved from their place in the Anaktoron in Eleusis and taken to Athens. The procession may have begun near the Pompeion in Eleusis outside the outer court of the Sanctuary after the initial sacrifices or prothymata were held. The objects were carried by the priestesses of Eleusis in carriages and contained in special cists so that no one could see what the objects were (245). The first day or Aghyrmos was marked by the Archon Basileus’ proclamation in the Agora at the Stoa