Eleusis was founded around 2000 BC. on the slopes of the eastern hill, a low hill range in the southwest corner of the Triassic field, near the Eleusinian gulf, and developed during the Mycenaean period into a strongly fortified city. At this time, the Mycenaean palace was built, identified with the first temple of Demeter, B.A. of the Ceremony of the classical times.
In the geometric period, the place of private houses was occupied by the sanctuary. At the same time, in the middle of the 8th c. BC, the worship of the goddess from a local rural festival acquires a pan-Hellenic character.
In the years of Solon (beginning of the 6th century BC), Eleusis was definitively annexed to Athens and the Eleusinian Mysteries were established as an Athenian holiday. At the time of Peisistratos (550-510 BC) the sanctuary and the city, west of the hill, were surrounded by a strong wall with towers.
After its destruction by the Persians (480 BC) the sanctuary was renovated with the construction of new buildings, such as the new large Telesterium and the Stoa of Philon, which was built on the east side of the Telesterium a century later.
The last period of prosperity of the sanctuary is placed in the Roman years, when Roman emperors adorned the sanctuary with new brilliant buildings such as the Great Propylaia, the triumphal arches, the fountain, temples and altars.
At the end of the 4th c. A.D. the Mysteries decline, while with the invasion of Alaric's Visigoths the sanctuary turns into ruins and worship is abandoned.
Source: MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND SPORTS
http://odysseus.culture.gr
