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Pottery: red-figured neck-amphora (Demeter and Triptolemos) The Niobid Painter The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Telesterion, Stoa of Philon, granary Ferdinand Noack Universität Heidelberg © Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg / Public Domain -
Building remains to the north-east of the Telesterion [siros] John Travlos Archaeological Society at Athens © Η εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία -
Cameo; chalcedony; head of Ceres to left, with diadem and ears of corn in her hair The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum -
Cupid at the right presenting to Ceres stems of grain Giulio Bonasone The British Museum © The Trustees of the British Museum
As the prominence of the Mysteries escalated during Roman times, and the Periclean granaries were backfilled, a significant expansion of storage facilities was necessary to accommodate the burgeoning quantities of the “aparche”. Positioned eastward of the Lesser Propylaea and the fortification wall dating back to Peisistratos’ era, a new elongated structure was erected. This edifice, extending nearly 66 metres in length and 6 metres in width, was designated as a granary. It functioned as the primary repository for the initial harvest offerings, known as the first fruits, that were ceremonially dedicated to Demeter by various Greek and Roman city-states.
