Personal: Eleusinian Archaeology + ninnion Tablet Flashcards
What is the oldest identifiable building complex ?
Geometric period 900-850 BC
What was renevated several times ?
Telesterion and enlarged until the current version
Built 5th century by Perciles
When is the Ninnion tablet dated to ?
400-300 BC
What does the Ninnion tablet depict ?
The events of the cult of Eleusis
- Demeter and Persephone are the two seated figures on the right of the vase
How can we tell the two figures are Demeter and Persephone ?
They are holding sceptres and wearing diadems/ myrtle
- Persephone/ Kore painted white subtly highlighting how, being in the underworld, her skin is of a fairer shade as she does not spend time in the sunlight
- Demeter is taller than humans with darker skin highlighting her role as goddess of agriculture
What does the Ninnion tablet tell us about the Eleusinian mysteries and who could join ?
- Both men and women are depicted in the tablet
- Ninnion: votive offering left to Demeter in the sanctuary however this also informs us of women’s involvement in the cult as Ninnion is a female name
Who is the figure in the centre with two torches ?
Lacchus- he is the procession leader letting out a cry
What is important about the pillar in the top left hand corner of the tablet ?
Ionic column which informs us that this is taking place inside
- most likely within the Telesterion given that it’s an indoor scene
Therefore part of the initiation process would have likely occurred away from the outside world
What does the women in the centre have on her head ?
The Kykeon which is the drink made in the Homeric Hymn and is scared and drunken by members of the cult after initiation
- evidence that this would have been transported on the heads not hands of participants
What does the tablet tell us about which gods were worshipped or associated with the Eleusinian mysteries ?
Demeter and Persephone
What is a limitation of the tablet?
Due to restriction placed on individuals, the tablet does not reveal any secretive peices of information and only provides us with a snapshot of the events
