Another Rocky Day in Greece

Yesterday was the third and final field trip for my City as Myth class. Our destination: modern day Elefsina, known in ancient Greece as Eleusis. Like our other field trips, Eleusis has a direct connection with the text that we studied in class, this week it was The Homeric Hymn to Demeter. I mentioned some of this in my last post on mortality. The hymn is about the abduction of the goddess Demeter's daughter, Persephone, by the lord of the underworld, Hades. Persephone is Zeus' daughter and Hades is Zeus' brother, so technically Hades is kidnapping his own niece. Ancient Greek myths can get complicated and incestual sometimes, so it's easier to not worry about these kinds of details. Anyways, Eleusis was the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries that I mentioned before that were associated with the cult of Demeter. In the Hymn, Eleusis is explicitly mentioned as the place where Demeter teaches the rituals to mortal men. Some people even believe that it is where the abduction of Persephone took place, the picture below is the supposed spot where Hades emerged from the underworld to grab her.

It's turned sideways and I can't figure out how to fix it. Basically looks like a well opening. 

Experiencing the space after discussing it in class all week has been a unique experience all three times we have done it. This week especially though because this myth piqued my interest enough to become the subject of my final paper. The archaeological site is quite large and parts are very impressive. The temples and buildings are no higher than waist height now, if that, and the parts that are laying around look decorative and intricate. Very neat place to go.

The first thing you see upon entering

Random stack of bits and pieces from the ruined buildings

For once Sarah got to touch the ancient stuff, and nobody yelled at her! She's become notorious for touching things labeled "Do Not Touch" this trip

The site is expansive, it wasn't too hot but it was still a lot of walking!

A pit in the ground that was used to roast sacrificial meat, here the specialty was baby piglets. Yum

The museum at the tail end of the site was small but had some interesting statues, pottery, and utensils that were found on site. 

Elefsina was the last of our adventures outside Athens before we leave for the States. It's bittersweet to consider it in this context. The fact that it is a rich historical site with a fascinating story behind it was the sweet part, the bitter pill to swallow is that we won't be doing any more traveling. There are so many more sites like this gem waiting for us that we don't have the time to explore. Still, I'm glad that we got to have one more rocky day in Greece.