Eleusinian Mysteries - End of the Eleusinian Mysteries

The Eleusinian Mysteries were annual initiation ceremonies for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece. Of all the mysteries celebrated in ancient times these were held to be the ones of greatest importance. These myths and mysteries later spread to Rome. The rites and cultic worships and beliefs were kept secret, and initiation rites united the worshipper with god including promises of divine power and rewards in life after death. Eleusinian Mysteries - The Mysteries. Eleusis ...

Including:

• Eleusinian Mysteries - The Mysteries
• Eleusinian Mysteries - End of the Eleusinian Mysteries
• Eleusinian Mysteries - Entheogenic theories

Read more here: » Eleusinian Mysteries: Encyclopedia - Eleusinian Mysteries

The Roman emperor Theodosius I closed the sanctuaries by decree in CE 392 in an effort to destroy pagan resistance to the imposition of Christianity as a state religion. The last remnants of the Mysteries were wiped out in CE 396, when Alaric, King of the Goths, invaded accompanied by Christians "in their dark garments", bringing Arian Christianity and desecrating the old sacred sites. The closing of the Eleusinian Mysteries in the 4th century is reported by Eunapios, a historian and biographer of the Greek philosophers. Eunapios had been in ...

See also:

Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - The Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - End of the Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - Entheogenic theories

Read more here: » Eleusinian Mysteries: Encyclopedia II - Eleusinian Mysteries - End of the Eleusinian Mysteries

Eleusis (modern-day Elefsina) was a small town located about 30 km NW of Athens. It was an agricultural town, producing wheat and barley. The Mysteries were based on a legend revolving around Demeter. Her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades, the god of death and the underworld. Demeter was the goddess of life, agriculture and fertility. She neglected her duties while searching for her daughter; causing a dry season (summer in Greece) in which people star ...

See also:

Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - The Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - End of the Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusinian Mysteries - Entheogenic theories

Read more here: » Eleusinian Mysteries: Encyclopedia II - Eleusinian Mysteries - The Mysteries