Εμφανίζονται 22 τίτλοι με αναζήτηση: Αρχαιολογικοί χώροι για το τοπωνύμιο: "ΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ Αρχαία πόλη ΑΤΤΙΚΗ, ΔΥΤΙΚΗ".
Region: Attica
Periods: Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Dark Age, Geometric,
Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: Panhellenic sanctuary of Demeter and Kore and center for
the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Physical Description:
The city of Eleusis (birthplace of Aeschylus) is located
22 km W of Athens on a ridge above the bay of Eleusis and at the S side of a large
plain. The site has been occupied since the Early Bronze Age and the acropolis
fortified at least as early as the Late Bronze Age. The location commands the
land routes from Athens to the Peloponnese and NW Greece. The sanctuary of Demeter
is located within the city walls of Eleusis, occupying the area between the E
slope of the acropolis and the E fortification wall, and is isolated from the
rest of the city by a separate cross-wall at the NE. Within the sanctuary another
cross-wall, breached by the Lesser Propylaia divides the N area of the priests'
dwellings and administration buildings from the sacred inner peribolos. The main
architectural features of the inner sanctuary are the Kallichoron or sacred well,
the cave of Pluto adjacent to a triangular court and the Telesterion of Demeter
(an almost square building that could seat 3000) where the secret initiation rites
were completed and entrance to the uninitiated was forbidden on pain of death.
An anaktoron or separate shrine was maintained within the Telesterion. From the
outer sanctuary the Greater Propylaia opened onto the grand Sacred Way which joined
the sanctuary to Athens.
Description:
According to tradition, Mycenaean Eleusis was the home
of an early cult of Demeter and one of the 12 Attic cities to unite in the Synoecism
formed by Theseus of Athens. Although the association with Demeter is not definite,
remains of a Mycenaean shrine have indeed been found under the later sanctuary
of the goddess. In the Geometric period (at ca. 750 B.C.) the earliest Telesterion
(the building where the mysteries were conducted) was built. At ca. 600 B.C. a
larger Telesterion, known as the Solonian was built and the Eleusinian Mysteries
became a Panhellenic cult. In the 2nd half of the 6th century B.C., under the
influence of Peisistratos and his sons, the size of the sanctuary doubled and
new walls and an enlarged Telesterion were constructed. The Peisistratean Telesterion
was destroyed during the Persian War. Kimon initiated reconstruction in 470 B.C.,
but his plans were never completed. The new Telesterion was built during the Periklean
age in the 2nd half of the 5th century B.C. and the sanctuary became one of the
most renowned in Greece. The fame of the Mysteries spread beyond the Greek borders.
During the Peloponnesian War (431-404) the sanctuary was respected by the warring
states. In the 2nd half of the 4th century the sanctuary of Demeter and the city
of Eleusis increased in size to attain its greatest extend. The Roman Emperors
favored the sanctuary and the city of Eleusis. When the Kostovoks burned the Telesterion
of Perikles in 170 B.C., it was rebuilt and slightly enlarged by Marcus Aurelius.
Many Roman officials (including Hadrian in 125 A.D.) were initiated into the Mysteries.
The destruction of the sanctuary by the Visigoths in 396 A.D. and the anti-pagan
decree of Theodosius ca. 390 A.D. ended religious activity at the sanctuary.
Exploration:
G. Wheler reported on the site in 1676. In 1811 the Dilettanti
Society carried out the first excavation. The Greek Archaeological Society has
excavated from 1882 to present.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 47 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Bouleuterion
Summary: Council building; on the southwest corner of the 4th century
B.C. wall of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore.
Date: ca. 400 B.C. - 300 B.C.
Period: Late Clas./Hell.
Plan:
Three main rooms, with semi-circular area in middle room.
History:
Probably 2 columns within the semi-circular area. Hellenistic building with successive
alterations through Roman times.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Altar
Summary: Ground altar; to the northeast outside the Sanctuary of
Demeter and Kore, near the northwest corner of the Temple of Artemis Propylaia
and Poseidon Pater.
Date: ca. 600 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Wall enclosing a rectangular open space. Eschara was a brick-lined pit covered
with a metal grid.
History:
The pit was used to burn sacrifices and although the visible remains are Roman,
excavation has revealed 6th century B.C. remains at the same location.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Fountainhouse Summary: Rectangular fountain; to the northeast
outside the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, south of the Temple of Artemis, Propylaia
and Poseidon Pater.
Date: ca. A.D. 50 - A.D. 200
Period: Roman
Plan:
Approached from the north by 3 steps into a U-shaped building with 6 columns.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Gate
Summary: Gate building; northeastern gate to the Sanctuary of Demeter
and Kore.
Date: ca. A.D. 170 - A.D. 180
Period: Roman
Plan:
Doric hexastyle amphiprostyle building approached by 6 steps on the east. Continuing
from the east, an Ionic inner colonnade of 6 columns divided the building into
3 aisles. Beyond, was a cross wall pierced by 5 doorways. The central passage
between the columns and through the doors was wider than the side passages.
History:
Probably built by Marcus Aurelius on the same site as an earlier gate from the
time of Kimon. It copied the central form of the Mnesiklean Propylaia in Athens.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: House
Summary: Many roomed house; west and outside the Sanctuary of Demeter
and Kore, within the Precinct of the Hiera Oikia.
Date: ca. 700 B.C. - 600 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Irregular shape with almost apsidal west end . Entrance in the center of the southern
wall to a long narrow room or court. Five rooms lined the northwestern wall.
History:
The Sacred House was probably dedicated to a hero, and though the building was
destroyed in the 7th century B.C., cult activity continued in the precinct.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Peribolos Wall
Summary: Trapezoidal wall; enclosing an area west and outside the
Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, surrounding the Hiera Oikia.
Date: ca. 600 B.C. - 500 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Entrance in the northeast wall.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: House
Summary: Many-roomed house; west of the Greater Propylon, in the
northeast section of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore.
Date: Unknown
Period: Roman
Plan:
Roman house with numerous rooms, surrounded by a wall of earlier date.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Silo
Summary: Storage silo; east of the Telesterion and within the Periclean
wall of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore.
Date: ca. 450 B.C. - 425 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
Triangular building with 12 interior pillars arranged irregularly.
History:
Built by Pericles, also known as the Siroi. The first fruits of the harvest would
have been stored here.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Well
Summary: Circular well; near the eastern corner of the Greater Propylon.
Date: ca. 600 B.C. - 500 B.C.
Period: Archaic
History:
This is the well around which dances to Demeter and Kore were once performed,
hence the name meaning Well of the Fair Dances.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 3 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Gate
Summary: Gate building; proper entrance to the Sanctuary of Demeter
and Kore, south of the Greater Propylon.
Date: ca. 60 B.C. - 10 B.C.
Period: Roman
Plan:
Ionic attached columns along 2 parallel walls enclosing a passage. Antae extended
forward of the doors on the south. Two Corinthian columns supported roof of long
vestibule. Inner end divided into 3 by short walls, parallel to exterior walls.
Inner portico 2 Caryatids.
History:
This gate replaced an earlier Peisistratid gate at the same location.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Silo
Summary: Oblong structure; west of the Greater Propylon, northwest
and the Lesser Propylon.
Date: ca. 550 B.C. - 510 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Rectangular shape. Entrance in center of the southeast side facing the Lesser
Propylon.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Peribolos Wall
Summary: Triangular wall; in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore,
next to the Lesser Propylon, on its western side.
Date: ca. 400 B.C. - 300 B.C.
Period: Late Clas./Hell.
Plan:
Peribolos wall and small temple with cella and pronaos opening east.
History:
Sanctuary to Pluto-Hades, the wall encloses a cave through which Pluto brought
Kore back from the underworld. The small temple is ca. 328 B.C., displacing an
earlier one on the same location.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Prytaneion
Summary: Group of rooms; in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, northwest
of the Greater Propylon.
Date: Unknown
Period: Roman
Plan:
Groups of rooms around courtyards, of varying size and all roughly rectangular.
History:
Served as housing for pilgrims to the sanctuary. The northwest corner is older
than the rest of the structure, dating ca. 475 B.C.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Temple
Summary: Small temple; in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, on
a platform north of the Telesterion.
Date: Unknown
Period: Roman
Plan:
Cella opening southeast onto a pronaos with 4 columns in antis.
History:
May have been a temple to Sabina, wife of Hadrian.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Platform
Summary: Platform (with later tetrastyle in antis building), with
L-shaped stepped approach; in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, south beyond
the Plutonian.
Date: Unknown
Plan:
Rectangular area with L-shaped stepped approach.
History:
In the inner sanctuary and overlooking the Sacred Way, the platform may have served
as a place to observe the beginning of the pageant. At its southern end, just
beyond the Unknown Treasury, was a high rock used for dedications.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Stoa
Summary: L-shaped stoa with rooms; northeast of the Greater Propylon,
outside the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, bounding east and west sides of a court.
Date: ca. A.D. 100 - A.D. 200
Period: Roman
Plan:
L-shaped stoa opening southeast and southwest. Northwestern wing had 12 columns,
6 rooms behind. Southeastern wing with 14 columns and open southern end.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Hall
Summary: Large, nearly square hall with many columns; in the Sanctuary
of Demeter and Kore, at the end of the paved Sacred Way.
Date: ca. 435 B.C. - 421 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
Eight tiers of seats on 4 sides divided by openings for 2 entrances on each of
3 sides. A total of 42 superimposed columns arranged in a 6 x 7 pattern supported
the opaioned roof. Directly below the opaion was a rectangular chamber.
History:
Serving as the initiation Hall and Temple for the Eleusinian Mysteries, the Telesterion
was located on the same spot through many building enlargements. The interior
chamber housed the hiera (sacred objects) and was known as the Anaktoron (Palace).
In all renovations after the Archaic period this area remained unaltered. The
earliest building traces on the site are of a Mycenaean megaron opening east.
This was replaced by a Geometric building, and by Solon's time (ca. 600 B.C.)
a rectangular hall, probably columned, running southwest-northeast had been built
to accommodate a larger number of participants. The Anaktoron may have been separated
from the rest of the building. There were other additions under Peisistratos,
ca. 550-510 B.C., and Kimon, ca. 479-461 B.C. The Classical building (ca. 435
B.C.) by the architect Koroibos, was designed to hold large groups, up to 3000,
to witness the ceremonial proceedings. In the 4th century B.C. a colonnaded porch
was added to the southeastern side of the building and was known as the Stoa of
Philon.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 15 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple; in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, on the northern
end of the terrace north above the Telesterion.
Date: Unknown
Period: Roman
Plan:
Distyle in antis cella opening southwest onto a pronaos with 6 columns in antis.
History:
May have been a temple to Faustina, wife of Antoninus Pius.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Temple Summary: Amphiprostyle temple; outside the Sanctuary
of Demeter and Kore, in the courtyard northeast of the Greater Propylon.
Date: ca. A.D. 100 - A.D. 200
Period: Roman
Plan:
Cella opening southeast onto a pronaos. Four Doric columns at each end. Stepped
platform.
History:
This temple is dedicated to Artemis Propylaia and Poseidon Pater.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Arch
Summary: Two arches of identical plan; outside the Sanctuary of
Demeter and Kore, in the southeastern and southwestern corners of the forecourt
outside the Greater Propylon.
Date: ca. A.D. 130 - A.D. 200
Period: Roman
Plan:
Copies of Hadrian's Arch in Athens. Single wide arch with 2nd story of columns
and entablature above. Corinthian columns on piers to either side of the arch
opening (front and rear).
History:
Built by Antoninus Pius: one marking the end of the road from the harbor, the
other the end of the road from Megara.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Eleusis
Type: Treasury
Summary: Small temple-like building; in the Sanctuary of Demeter
and Kore, adjoining the southern end of the Stepped Platform.
Date: ca. 350 B.C.
Period: Late Classical
Plan:
Single cella opening east, possibly with interior dividing screen.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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