Texts / Ancient Text

The Homeric Hymn to Demeter (7th-6th century BCE) is the founding myth of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Disguised as an old woman, Demeter drinks kykeon (barley meal, water, and mint) and later teaches the Eleusinians the 'awful mysteries.'

Clement of Alexandria's chapter from his Exhortation to the Greeks (c. 195 CE), exposing Greek mystery religions including the Eleusinian rites. He quotes the complete verbal formula recited over the kykeon and recounts the myth of Demeter and Baubo.