At 27 kilometres, the Cephissus river, originating from mount Pentelicus, stands as Athens’ longest river. The procession, having first passed Elaionas, would encounter Cephissus as the next notable geographic feature of the western Athenian plain. Flowing southwest towards Phaleron Bay near Neo Faliro, the river’s classical riverbed was once positioned between Agios Savvas church and the Agricultural University, where a deep stream still exists, about 1200 metres east from the present course of Cephissus.
Many discoveries were made during the construction of Athens’ metropolitan railway Line 3’s “Elaionas” station. Among them were three foundational piers of a bridge, remnants from the old riverbed. Constructed with rectangular limestone blocks and aligned north to south, these piers show clear signs of erosion by the river flow. It is believed that additional piers exist beneath the adjacent street since the discovered ones do not reach the riverbank. The area has yielded abundant sand, gravel, and river stones, indicative of recurrent flooding that ravaged riverside structures.
This bridge is speculated to have been the location for the “gephyrismoi”, a ritual involving jesting and mockery directed at mystai during their pilgrimage to Eleusis. Central to this custom was an elderly woman, possibly Baubo or Iambe, commemorating the woman who cheered Demeter during her grief over Persephone’s loss. The custom likely took place both during the procession to Eleusis and upon the return to Athens post-festival. Primarily targeting affluent and notable participants, men with covered heads conducted this ritual, aiming to create a festive atmosphere while offering protection from malicious spirits’ envy. Upon the return to Athens, the gephyrismoi indiscriminately engaged all initiates, who by then would traverse individually or in smaller groups, no longer in a formal procession.
