Mysteries
Alongside the staple ritual of sacrifice, “mysteries” (mystēria,
orgia) were among the most respected ways of honouring gods and
goddesses in the Greco-Roman world. Mysteries were rituals that involved
some degree of secrecy and only those
with special status (those who were
“initiated”) could participate fully in them. The term mysteries could
encompass a variety of practices, including animal sacrifice, communal
meals, re-enactment of the myths of the gods, sacred processions, and
hymn-singing. Often, the most important aspect of initiation was the
unveiling of sacred symbols by the “revealer of the sacred objects”
(hierophant), often by lamp-light. Yet there was also great diversity
with regard to what symbols were considered sacred to particular deities
or what steps were necessary for initiation. Although one could encounter
such practices in honour of various gods and in many settings (from
official imperial cults to civic temples to local informal gatherings),
the most well known mysteries that involved small gatherings or
associations of “initiates” (mystai) are those connected with
deities like
Dionysos, Demeter, Isis and Sarapis, the Great Mother of
Phrygia (Cybele), the Great
Gods of Samothrace, and
Mithras.
There were also similar mysteries
celebrated in honour of the emperors, or “revered ones,” as I explore in
the book (also see the inscription of the Demeter worshippers at
Ephesos
on this site).
Read more about initiates and mysteries in the following articles:
