Pausanias Analysis

Passage 2.14.1

← 2.13.8 2.14.2 →

Passage 2.14.1: Celeae's Demeter mysteries held every four years

Historical Non-skeptical

Greek Text

τῆς δὲ πόλεως αἱ Κελεαὶ πέντε που σταδίους μάλιστα ἀπέχουσι, καὶ τῇ Δήμητρι ἐνταῦθα διʼ ἐνιαυτοῦ τετάρτου τὴν τελετὴν καὶ οὐ κατὰ ἔτος ἄγουσιν. ἱεροφάντης δὲ οὐκ ἐς τὸν βίον πάντα ἀποδέδεικται, κατὰ δὲ ἑκάστην τελετὴν ἄλλοτέ ἐστιν ἄλλος σφίσιν αἱρετός, λαμβάνων ἢν ἐθέλῃ καὶ γυναῖκα. καὶ ταῦτα μὲν διάφορα τῶν Ἐλευσῖνι νομίζουσι, τὰ δὲ ἐς αὐτὴν τὴν τελετὴν ἐκείνων ἐστὶν ἐς μίμησιν· ὁμολογοῦσι δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ μιμεῖσθαι Φλιάσιοι τὰ ἐν Ἐλευσῖνι δρώμενα.

English Translation

The city of Celeae lies roughly five stades from Phlius, and there they observe rites in honor of Demeter every fourth year rather than annually. The hierophant is not appointed for life, but chosen specially for each celebration, and he may even take a wife if he wishes. In these respects they differ from the Eleusinians, but their rites themselves imitate those of Eleusis; indeed, the Phliasians openly acknowledge that they copy the mysteries performed at Eleusis.

Proper Nouns

Demeter (Δήμητρα) deity
Phliasians (Φλιάσιοι) person
Keleai (Κελεαί) place Q115380594
Also in: 2.12.4
Eleusis (Ἐλευσῖς) place Q11918833
← 2.13.8 2.14.2 →