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Caryatids of the Lesser Propylaea (drawing and plan) John Travlos Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Lesser Propylaea (capital) John Travlos Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
The Kistophoros of the Museum of Eleusis, profile view Hormann, Die inneren Propylaen von Eleusis, πίν. 50. Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Lesser Propylaea Josef Bühlmann Technische Universität München © Technische Universität München -
Caryatide, Eleusis Boston Public Library © Boston Public Library -
The propylon of Demeter and Kore on the site of the old Peisistratian portal. Reconstruction. Demosthenes Ziro Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Western wall of the Lesser Propylaea. Behind, the Ploutonion. Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Upper part of a caryatid from the Inner Propylaea at Eleusis The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Bust of Ceres in Eleusis [Caryatid] Louis-François Cassas Musée du Louvre © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre) - Michel Urtado
The structure of the Lesser Propylaea, an initiative of Appius Claudius Pulcher, a Roman consul, in 54 BCE, served as a replacement for the earlier North Gate from the era of Peisistratos. Cicero, in his correspondence with Atticus around 50 BCE, refers to the consul’s plans for this edifice, indicating its significance within a larger Roman program for the erection of notable public buildings. As the inner entrance to the Demeter sanctuary, following the primary Greater Propylaea, the Lesser Propylaea were an essential element of the sacred complex.
Constructed predominantly from Pentelic marble, with foundations of stone-lined concrete, the gateway stood at the conclusion of a paved courtyard. Its design featured two Corinthian columns externally and a pair of massive Caryatid figures internally, upholding the structure’s roof. The capitals of these columns display exceptional craftsmanship, adorned with winged bulls or lions. Regrettably, only fragments of the colossal Caryatids have survived to modern times. One of these figures is now found in England, while the other is preserved in the Eleusis Archaeological Museum. Their bases, however, remain in situ.
The Caryatids’ attributes closely align with the mystical aspects of Eleusinian worship. They are dressed in sleeveless tunics, each bearing a gorgoneion emblem on the chest. Upon their heads rest the Kiste, a mystical container, intricately decorated with relief motifs indicative of Eleusinian rites, including poppy heads, sheaves of grain, the kernos, and rosettes, likely signifying pomegranate blossoms. A perizoma decorated with myrtle leaves is also present, hinting at Bacchic symbolism.
On the structure’s exterior, the pediment was left unadorned. The frieze and column shaft, sculpted from a singular marble piece, exhibit a blend of Doric and Ionic styles. The frieze’s metopes prominently feature symbols integral to Demeter’s worship, like the kistes, grain bundles, bucrania and poppy flowers. Remarkably, pomegranates and crossed torches, symbols often associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries, are absent. It is possible that they decorated sculptural elements that are not extant. Whatever the case may be, every visitor to the sacred site could easily see the symbols, suggesting that this part was not involved in the final, most secretive stage of the initiation process.
An imposing double-leaf door once stood at the entrance, with parallel grooves cut into the opening for efficient rainwater drainage from the Sacred Way. This design prevented water accumulation, ensuring uninterrupted access to the Telesterion and maintaining the site’s sanctity and functionality.
