The stretch of the Sacred Way running from Konstantinoupoleos Street to the Agricultural University of Athens was part of the prosperous Laciadae deme, named after the legendary hero Lacius. However, its fame also comes from historical figures who contributed significantly to their homeland’s defence. Among them was the Philaidae family, including Miltiades, the Athenian general known for his triumph at Marathon, and the renowned statesman Cimon, both of whom owned considerable land in Laciadae.

Within the Laciadae deme, there was a temple dedicated to Demeter near the current location of the Prophet Daniel church. Its ruins emerged during the construction of Athens’ Metro Line 3, revealing clay kernoi, two figurine heads, a substantial amount of pottery, and the walls of a classic sanctuary. Nearby lived the legendary Phytalus, who famously hosted Demeter in her quest for Persephone. An epigram on Phytalus’s tomb read: “Hero and king, Phytalus here welcome gave to Demeter, August goddess, when first she created fruit of the harvest; Sacred fig is the name which mortal men have assigned it. Whence Phytalus and his race have gotten honours immortal”. In later years, a revered old fig tree, considered sacred, stood near this tomb.

In this sanctuary, not only Demeter was worshipped but also Athena, Poseidon, and Zephyrus, all linked to plant life. Athena was likely honoured as “moria”, the guardian of olive trees, Poseidon as “phytalmios”, the nurturer of plants, and Zephyrus as the wind favourable to agriculture.

On the 14th of the month Boedromion, Athens’ citizens and magistrates would welcome the procession from Eleusis that carried the sacred objects to the sanctuary of Demeter. They would then escort these sacred items to the City Eleusinion at the Acropolis. Mystai, returning from the Greater Mysteries celebration, convened here to form an orderly procession for their re-entry into Athens.