The Mysteries and the Ancient Mediterranean: space, the Eleusinian cult and social organization in Attica (VI-IV B.C.)

• Grant number: 18/09614-5
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Archeology - Historical Archaeology
• Principal researcher: Maria Cristina Nicolau Kormikiari
• Grantee: Felipe Perissato
• Home Institution: Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (MAE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/21476-0 - Religion from below: interpreting Eleusinian Mysteries' networks and its material culture through a Lived Ancient Religion approach, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The Eleusinian Mysteries, which is a particular form of an agricultural cult of Demeter and Kore in Athenian khóra, was one of the most prestigious panhellenic festivals in Ancient World. For being related to earth fertility cycle, the Mysteries cult attracted individuals to participate on its initiations. In this way, the Eleusinian sanctuaries have transformed its sacred spaces due to the consolidation of the social relations that involved the Eleusinian families responsible to the organization of the sanctuary. Therefore, this research has the objective of articulate the data of Eleusinian sanctuaries topography (Eleusis and the City Eleusinion in Athens) altogether with the Social Networks based on the epigraphy source, in the period between VI and IV century B.C. Thus, it argues that it will be possible to confront information related to the social organization of the Ancient Mysteries cult with data of Eleusinian sanctuaries topography, which it can contribute with new perspectives to discuss the specificities of the Eleusinian cult.