Eleusinian deities on a the largest votive from Eleusis

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material Pentelic marble
Date range ca. 440-430 BC
Origin Eleusis

This relief shows a holy meeting between the gods of Eleusis and a young prince named Triptolemos. On the left, the goddess Demeter hands him ears of wheat to share with all people. On the right, her daughter Persephone places her hand over the boy to give him a special blessing.

The large size of this artwork suggests it was a very important part of the secret religious rituals held at Eleusis. It was not just a simple gift, but likely a central object used by those who followed the cult. This holy scene was so famous in the past that it was even copied by the Romans.

Museum label reference:

126. Votive relief. Pentelic marble. Found in Eleusis. This is the largest and most important known votive relief. Dedicated to the sanctuary of Demeter and Kore at Eleusis, it represents the Eleusinian deities in a scene of mysteriac ritual. At left, Demeter, clad in a peplos and holding a scepter in her left hand, offers ears of wheat to Triptolemos, son of the Eleusinian King Keleos, to bestow on mankind. At right, Persephone, clad in chiton and mantle and holding a torch, blesses Triptolemos with her right hand. The magnificence of the image and, particularly, the large scale of the relief suggest that it was not a simple votive dedication but rather associated with cult. The relief was apparently famous in antiquity and was copied in the Roman period. One of its copies is now in Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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Pentelic marble votive relief representing the Eleusinian deities in a ritual scene.

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Source:  Athens, Greece