Andania Flashcards
Where was Andania?
Small city in Messenia in the southwest Peloponnese. Exact site unknown, but and inscription was found in 1858 that details the mysteries of the region
Who revived the cult of Andania?
Festival may have been revived by a local benefactor Mnasistratos: donated books and chests that held the sacred objects and included instructions on how to carry out the rituals
What was the cult of Andania?
Ritual procession is described by the inscription, focused on “sacred virgins” and other women taking important roles
Potentially a long festival with music, sacrifice, dance, market stalls and other services such as baths
Part of this festival was the initiation of men and women
Who is our main source for the mysteries of Andania?
Pausanius visited the city nearly 200 years later: considered these mysteries to be second only to Eleusis, implies he was initiated. Suggests that by this time the mysteries had gained regional status
What does Pausanius say on the mysteries of Andania?
Visited Andania when it was part of the Roman Empire
Makes no mention of any change in 91 BC, as the inscription details
His narrative aligns with the Messenians own mythohistory: that Messenia was restored after Epaminondas was led by a dream to recover a bronze vessel buried by Aristomenes which contained the secrets of the mysteries
Some narrative that the mysteries honoured Demeter and Kore - the Great Goddesses that the Messenians worship
This may have been a development and confusion of the cult itself which demonstrates the influence Eleusis had on subsequent mystery cults
