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{{Short description|Ancient Greek drink}} |
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[[File:NAMA Circé & Ulysse.jpg|thumb|Circe and Odysseus, white-ground lekythos by the Athena Painter, ca. 490–480 BC. From Eretria National Archaeological Museum in Athens, 1133.|250px|right]] |
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'''Kykeon''' ( |
'''Kykeon''' ({{Langx|grc|κυκεών}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|kykeȏn}}; from {{Lang|grc|κυκάω}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|kykáō}}; "to stir, to mix") was an [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] drink of various descriptions. Some were made mainly of water, barley and naturally occurring substances. Others were made with [[wine]] and [[grated cheese]].<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of Greek Philosophy |last=Guthrie|first=W. K. C.|volume=1 |publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1978|page=449}}</ref> It is widely believed that kykeon usually refers to a [[psychoactive]] compounded brew, as in the case of the [[Eleusinian Mysteries]].<ref name=Wag>{{cite book|last=González Wagner|first=Carlos|title=Psicoactivos, misticismo y religión en el mundo antiguo|url=|date=1984|publisher=[[Complutense University of Madrid]]|page=|isbn=}}</ref> A kykeon was used at the climax of the Eleusinian Mysteries to break a sacred fast, but it is also mentioned as a favourite drink of Greek peasants. |
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==Ancient sources and description== |
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Kykeon is mentioned in [[Homer]]ic texts: the Iliad describes it as consisting of Pramnian [[wine]], [[barley]], and grated [[goat's cheese]] |
Kykeon is mentioned in [[Homer]]ic texts: the [[Iliad]] describes it as consisting of Pramnian [[wine]], [[barley]], and grated [[goat's cheese]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Homer |author-link=Homer |title=[[Iliad]] |at=XI, 638–641}}</ref> In the [[Odyssey]], [[Circe]] adds some honey and pours her magic potion into it.<ref>{{cite book |author=Homer |author-link=Homer |title=[[Odyssey]] |at=X, 234}}</ref> In the [[Homeric Hymn]] to [[Demeter]], the goddess refuses red wine but accepts kykeon made from water, barley, and [[Mentha pulegium|pennyroyal]].<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Homeric Hymn|Homeric Hymns]] |chapter=Homeric Hymn to Demeter |at=210}}</ref> |
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It was supposed to have digestive properties |
It was supposed to have digestive properties: In [[Aristophanes]]' ''[[Peace (Aristophanes)|Peace]]'' [[Hermes]] recommends it to the hero who ate too much dry fruit and nuts.<ref>{{cite book |type=play |author=Aristophanes |author-link=Aristophanes |title=[[Peace (Aristophanes)|Peace]] |at=v. 712}}</ref> |
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Aristocrats shunned it as a peasant drink: [[Theophrastus]]' ''Characters'' depicts a peasant who goes to the [[Ecclesia (ancient Athens)|Ecclesia]] drunk with kykeon.<ref>{{cite book |author=Theophrastus |author-link=Theophrastus |title=Characters |at=IV, 2–3}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In an attempt to solve the mystery of how so many people over the span of two millennia could have consistently experienced revelatory states during the culminating ceremony of the [[Eleusinian Mysteries]], it has been posited that the barley used in the Eleusinian kykeon was parasitized by [[ergot]], and that the psychoactive properties of that |
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==Eleusinian Mysteries== |
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For more on the possibilities of kykeon's psychoactive properties, see [[Eleusinian Mysteries#Entheogenic theories|entheogenic theories of the mysteries]]. |
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{{main|Eleusinian Mysteries#Entheogenic theories}} |
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| ⚫ | In an attempt to solve the mystery of how so many people over the span of two millennia could have consistently experienced revelatory states during the culminating ceremony of the [[Eleusinian Mysteries]], it has been posited that the barley used in the Eleusinian kykeon was parasitized by [[ergot]], and that the psychoactive properties of that fungus triggered the intense experiences alluded to by the participants at Eleusis.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.psychedelic-library.org/Mixing%20the%20Kykeon%20Final%20Draft.pdf |title=Mixing the ''Kykeon'' |journal=Eleusis: Journal of Psychoactive Plants and Compounds |series=New Series |volume=4 |year=2000}}{{full citation needed|date=April 2020}}</ref><ref name=Wag/> |
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Discovery of fragments of ergot (fungi containing LSD-like psychedelic alkaloids) in a temple dedicated to the two Eleusinian goddesses excavated at the Mas Castellar site ([[Girona]], [[Spain]]) provided some possible support for this theory. Ergot fragments were found inside a vase and within the dental calculus of a 25-year-old man, providing evidence of ergot being consumed.<ref>Juan-Stresserras, J. , & Matamala, J. C. (2005). Estudio de residuos microscópicos y compuestos orgánicos en utillaje de molido y de contenido de las vasijas [A study of the microscopic residue and organic compounds in grinding tools and jar contents]. In P. Bueno, R. Balbín, & R. Barroso (cur.), ''El dolmen de Toledo'' (pp. 235–241). Alcalá de Henares, Spain: [[University of Alcalá|Universidad de Alcalá]].</ref> This finding seems to support the hypothesis of ergot as an ingredient of the Eleusinian kykeon. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Ancient Greece and wine]] |
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* [[Ancient Greek cuisine]] |
* [[Ancient Greek cuisine]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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== Bibliography == |
== Bibliography == |
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* |
* {{cite book |title=The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries |author1-link=R. Gordon Wasson |author1=Wasson, R.G. |author2-link=Albert Hofmann |author2=Hofmann, A. |author3-link=Carl A. P. Ruck |author3=Ruck, C.}}{{full citation needed|reason=publisher; date|date=April 2020}} — author [[Albert Hofmann|A. Hofmann]] is the inventor of [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]] |
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* |
* {{cite book |language=fr |first=Armand |last=Delatte |title=Le Cycéon, breuvage rituel des mystères d'Éleusis |publisher=Belles Lettres |place=Paris |year=1955}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* |
* {{cite web |url=http://www.x-sandra.com/valencic/valencic/ivan.htm |title=Has the mystery of the Eleusinian mysteries been solved?}} |
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{{Greek religion|state=collapsed}} |
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[[Category:Entheogens]] |
[[Category:Entheogens]] |
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[[Category:Eleusinian Mysteries]] |
[[Category:Eleusinian Mysteries]] |
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[[Category:Historical foods]] |
[[Category:Historical foods]] |
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[[Category:Historical |
[[Category:Historical drinks]] |
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[[Category:Ancient Greek cuisine]] |
[[Category:Ancient Greek cuisine]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:32, 29 October 2024
Kykeon (Ancient Greek: κυκεών, kykeȏn; from κυκάω, kykáō; "to stir, to mix") was an Ancient Greek drink of various descriptions. Some were made mainly of water, barley and naturally occurring substances. Others were made with wine and grated cheese.[1] It is widely believed that kykeon usually refers to a psychoactive compounded brew, as in the case of the Eleusinian Mysteries.[2] A kykeon was used at the climax of the Eleusinian Mysteries to break a sacred fast, but it is also mentioned as a favourite drink of Greek peasants.
Ancient sources and description
[edit]Kykeon is mentioned in Homeric texts: the Iliad describes it as consisting of Pramnian wine, barley, and grated goat's cheese.[3] In the Odyssey, Circe adds some honey and pours her magic potion into it.[4] In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the goddess refuses red wine but accepts kykeon made from water, barley, and pennyroyal.[5]
It was supposed to have digestive properties: In Aristophanes' Peace Hermes recommends it to the hero who ate too much dry fruit and nuts.[6]
Aristocrats shunned it as a peasant drink: Theophrastus' Characters depicts a peasant who goes to the Ecclesia drunk with kykeon.[7]
Eleusinian Mysteries
[edit]In an attempt to solve the mystery of how so many people over the span of two millennia could have consistently experienced revelatory states during the culminating ceremony of the Eleusinian Mysteries, it has been posited that the barley used in the Eleusinian kykeon was parasitized by ergot, and that the psychoactive properties of that fungus triggered the intense experiences alluded to by the participants at Eleusis.[8][2]
Discovery of fragments of ergot (fungi containing LSD-like psychedelic alkaloids) in a temple dedicated to the two Eleusinian goddesses excavated at the Mas Castellar site (Girona, Spain) provided some possible support for this theory. Ergot fragments were found inside a vase and within the dental calculus of a 25-year-old man, providing evidence of ergot being consumed.[9] This finding seems to support the hypothesis of ergot as an ingredient of the Eleusinian kykeon.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Guthrie, W. K. C. (1978). A History of Greek Philosophy. Vol. 1. Cambridge University Press. p. 449.
- ^ a b González Wagner, Carlos (1984). Psicoactivos, misticismo y religión en el mundo antiguo. Complutense University of Madrid.
- ^ Homer. Iliad. XI, 638–641.
- ^ Homer. Odyssey. X, 234.
- ^ "Homeric Hymn to Demeter". Homeric Hymns. 210.
- ^ Aristophanes. Peace (play). v. 712.
- ^ Theophrastus. Characters. IV, 2–3.
- ^ "Mixing the Kykeon" (PDF). Eleusis: Journal of Psychoactive Plants and Compounds. New Series. 4. 2000.[full citation needed]
- ^ Juan-Stresserras, J. , & Matamala, J. C. (2005). Estudio de residuos microscópicos y compuestos orgánicos en utillaje de molido y de contenido de las vasijas [A study of the microscopic residue and organic compounds in grinding tools and jar contents]. In P. Bueno, R. Balbín, & R. Barroso (cur.), El dolmen de Toledo (pp. 235–241). Alcalá de Henares, Spain: Universidad de Alcalá.
Bibliography
[edit]- Wasson, R.G.; Hofmann, A.; Ruck, C. The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries.[full citation needed] — author A. Hofmann is the inventor of LSD
- Delatte, Armand (1955). Le Cycéon, breuvage rituel des mystères d'Éleusis (in French). Paris: Belles Lettres.