The Museum




This Roman sarcophagus is highly decorated.




Griffins.




Corinthian capital with winged horses.




Capital with ram's head.




Capital with lion's head.




Capitol with bull's head




Mycenaean period The building of a Megaron in around 1500 BC is noted as genesis of the sanctuary. According to the Homeric hymn to Demeter, this was the first temple built by the Eleusinians in honour of the goddess. The megaron was renovated and extended in the Late Helladic period and was surrounded by strong enclosure wall with two gateways one to the north for the road to add them and one to the south towards the sea.




Geometric period At the beginning of the C8th BC a semi-circular terrace was constructive on which the Mycenaean megaron was constantly maintained. A retaining wall with two entrances encircled the courtyard of the ancient temple. A monumental stepped structure indicates participation of many people at the cult activities. In spite of it being a local, it it had clearly acquired a great reputation and following.




Archaic period - Solon At the beginning of the C6th BC, Eleusis was under Athenian rule. A large rectangular Telesterion was built with a large courtyard to the south suitable for the rituals and retained by a wall of polygonal masonry.




Archaic period - Peisistratos in the middle of the C 6th BC, an imposing square Telesterion was built with the porch to the East and the powerless in the north-west corner on the site occupied by the original temple. A larger defence wall was erected around the sanctuary and the city with a new city gate to the north-west for the road to Athens and to the south to the sea and the port.




Early Classical period At the beginning of the C 5th BC work began to create a temple twice the size of its predecessor but was interrupted by the Persian wars.




Reconstruction of Sanctuary during the Archaic period - Peisistratos time.




Reconstruction of Santuary during the Roman period.




Classical period in the second half of the C 5th BC a large, square Telesterion was built, six entrances and its roof supported by forty-two columns. The original Anaktoron was preserved inside, with the throne of the hierophant positioned in front of its entrance. Initiates could watch the proceedings seated on the steps around all four sides cut into the rock or built with blocks of stone. In the C 4th BC a stoa was built to the East. Roman period in the C1st AD emperors Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aurelius, built the triumphal arches, the greater and lesser Propylaia, the great Fountain; but at the end of the C 2nd Barbarians brought much destruction which was later repaired. However in 379 A.D. Theodosius, in Christian, forbade all ancient cults and the mysteries of Demeter began to wane.




C7th & C6th BC pithoi and amphora were used for burials with part of the pot removed so that the body could be placed inside. This was resealed with shards and the pit filled with earth. Grave deposits were exclusively vases, many imported from Corinth.




C7thBC burial amphora from Western Cemetery. Proto-Attic style ...




... with neck depiction: the blinding of Polyphemus by Odysseus and his companions - body depiction: Perseus beheading the Medusa.




Large amphoras were used in burials: some cinerary urns contained cremated bodies, other pot burials contained infants or small children.




C6thBC part of a loutrophoros depicting a procession of bearded men: three musicians holding kithara and flute, three holding myrtle leaves and the seven a tripod.

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ELEUSIS

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