The initial devotion to Demeter at Eleusis began as a modest local practice. As time progressed, the renown of the sanctuary flourished, transforming it into a coveted asset, both for its religious significance and its association with control over Eleusis. The Athenians, recognizing the strategic and spiritual value of the sanctuary, persistently battled to incorporate it under their jurisdiction. While the historical details of these skirmishes are often muddled with mythological narratives, the Athenians’ intent to enhance and expand the sanctuary is clear and undisputed, particularly during the latter half of the 6th century BCE.
Peisistratos, who held sway over Athens for nearly 35 years, from 561 to 527 BCE, played a pivotal role in this expansion. His vision was to establish Athens as a preeminent force in Greece, and he skillfully used religious influence as a means to this end. This period saw a magnification of the Panathenaic Games, the elevation of Theseus to a national hero, and the relocation of the Dionysian cult from a peripheral sanctuary to a prominent site at the Acropolis. Peisistratos’ strategy included transforming Eleusis into a major spiritual and religious hub of Hellenism, something that necessitated substantial investments in infrastructure.
Among the critical but less spectacular constructions from this era was an elongated structure situated west of the Lesser Propylaea. Although its remnants are largely obscured by subsequent developments in the area, the original layout remains discernible. Spanning over twenty-five metres in length and nearly nine in width, with its primary access on the narrower eastern side, this edifice was identified as a ‘siros’ or granary. It functioned as a storage facility for the “aparche”, the first fruits offered to the goddesses in gratitude for bountiful harvests.
