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Auxiliary area of the Sanctuary (plan) John Travlos Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The main entrance of the sanctuary in the Antonine era Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The Greater Propylaea during the visit of Pausanias to Eleusis, in 160 AD. Reconstruction. Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The Greater Propylaea. Longitudinal section of the Ionic portico. Reconstruction. Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The main entrance of the sanctuary around 297 AD Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The Propylaea in Eleusis Photoglob Company Library of Congress © Library of Congress -
The Greater Propylaea. The bust of Marcus Aurelius on the pediment. Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Propylaea of the temple of Ceres at Eleusis Boston Public Library © Boston Public Library -
Eleusis. Sanctuary of Demeter. Tondo with bust of Marcus Aurelius. Catholic University of Leuven © KU Leuven -
Propylon of Demeter and Kore. Longitudinal section of the entrance. To the left, Peisistratus' tower and the new marble propylon. To the right, the older two-columned internal porch and the staircase to the wall. Reconstruction. Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Drawing of the architrave with triglyph at a larger scale and coffering, possibly from the Propylaea at Eleusis, with measurements Nicholas Revett The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Plan and side elevation of the remains of the Greater Propylaia at Eleusis, with measurements and notes. Sebastiano Ittar The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Study of architectural elements of the Greater Propylaia (?) at Eleusis, with measurements Sebastiano Ittar The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Remains of the Propylaeum and temple of Triptolemus at Eleusis Sir William Gell The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
The Return of Persephone After: Frederic Leighton, Baron Leighton The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Fragment of a sardonyx cameo engraved with a woman seated in a cornucopia holding a patera, possibly Livia shown as Ceres The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Eleusis. The Propylaea. Frédéric Boissonnas The J. Paul Getty Museum © The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California -
Eleusis [Greater Propylaea and Kallichoron well] Petros Moraites The J. Paul Getty Museum © The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
Situated to the south of the Eleusinian sanctuary’s paved courtyard, the Greater Propylaea functioned as the gateway to the hallowed precinct. This structure took inspiration from Mnesicles’ Propylaea on the Athenian Acropolis, yet with notable differences: it was erected on a single platform without the lateral wings and central passage, and its construction quality was relatively inferior.
The foundation of the Greater Propylaea, a concrete base cloaked in uniform stone masonry, elevated the structure by 170 cm (approximately 170 cm) above the courtyard. The remainder of the edifice was crafted from Pentelic marble. Unlike the courtyard’s orientation, the Propylaea faced northeast, aligning towards Athens.
Architecturally, the complex included a barrier wall with five gates and a pair of propyla – an inner and an outer – each with six Doric columns. Of these, only the initial capital of the westernmost column of the inner propylon survives. The external facade has fared better, with a straightforward entablature, a frieze with triglyphs and metopes, and a pediment. The latter showcases a bust; the extensive damage to the face of the statue makes it challenging to definitively identify the figure, although a distinctive element on its breastplate hints that it may be Marcus Aurelius. This particular feature, a gorgoneion, symbolises the emperor’s victory against the Marcomanni in the years 172/173 CE. The imagery deliberately draws a parallel between Marcus Aurelius and the god Zeus, both celebrated for their respective conquests – the emperor over the Marcomanni and Zeus over the Giants.
The entry to the Greater Propylaea was through a series of six steps, with the easternmost one halting short of the Kallichoron well’s sacred space. Here, an access point was constructed, leading to the well via a wood staircase. Intriguingly, etchings/graffiti on these steps, resembling floor games, indicate the activities of pilgrims as they awaited sanctuary entry.
Only the thresholds of the transverse wall with its five entrances remain, with the leftmost displaying the most wear. This doorway likely functioned as the primary, and perhaps routinely the sole, open entrance. Over time, the columns have suffered considerable losses, with just their bases remaining intact in situ, and two have been reassembled within the courtyard.
Throughout its history, the structure experienced numerous modifications. A significant alteration occurred in the late Roman era, possibly as a defensive measure against external threats or invasions. The colonnade of the outer propylon was closed with a wall that left only a central entrance. This development could be tied to efforts to fortify the sanctuary amidst the ravages of the Goths and Heruli, under the reign of Emperor Valerian (253-260 CE). In subsequent Christian times, following the sanctuary’s demise, crosses were inscribed on various parts of the Propylaea,aimed at sanctifying the site and warding off pagan influences. The cross inscribed on the gorgoneion of Marcus Aurelius’s bust is a striking example of this practice.
