User:CabbageP/Triptolemus: Difference between revisions
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== Mythology == |
== Mythology == |
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=== Origin of Triptolemus' Agricultural Gifts === |
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While [[Demeter]], in the guise of an old woman<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 87 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=87 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref> named Doso<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 118 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=118 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref>, was searching for her daughter [[Persephone]] (Kore), who had been abducted by [[Hades]] (Pluto)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 40 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=40 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref>, she received a hospitable welcome from [[Celeus]]. He asked her to nurse [[Demophon of Eleusis|Demophon]]—"killer of men", a counterpart to Triptolemus— and Triptolemus, his sons by [[Metanira]]. |
Triptolemus' first introduction to Demeter is during Demeter's search for her daughter following [[Rape of Persephone|the abduction of Persephone]]. While [[Demeter]], in the guise of an old woman<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 87 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=87 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref> named Doso<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 118 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=118 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref>, was searching for her daughter [[Persephone]] (Kore), who had been abducted by [[Hades]] (Pluto)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 40 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0138:hymn=2:card=40 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref>, she received a hospitable welcome from [[Celeus]], the King of Eleusis. He asked her to nurse [[Demophon of Eleusis|Demophon]]—"killer of men", a counterpart to Triptolemus— and Triptolemus, his sons by [[Metanira]]. |
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Demeter saw Triptolemus was sick and fed him her breast milk and placed him under the hot coals of a fire<ref name=":1">{{cite web |author=William Godwin |year=1876 |title=Lives of the Necromancers |url=https://archive.org/details/livesnecromance04godwgoog |page=37}}</ref>. Not only did this recover his strength but he grew instantly into manhood.<ref name=":1" /> As a gift to Celeus, in gratitude for his hospitality, Demeter secretly planned to make Demophon immortal by placing him in the flames of the hearth to strip him of his mortal flesh<ref name=":0" />. With each day Demophon grew but she was unable to complete the ritual because she was discovered burying the babe in the fire<ref name=":0" />. |
Demeter saw Triptolemus was sick and fed him her breast milk and placed him under the hot coals of a fire<ref name=":1">{{cite web |author=William Godwin |year=1876 |title=Lives of the Necromancers |url=https://archive.org/details/livesnecromance04godwgoog |page=37}}</ref>. Not only did this recover his strength but he grew instantly into manhood.<ref name=":1" /> As a gift to Celeus, in gratitude for his hospitality, Demeter secretly planned to make Demophon immortal by placing him in the flames of the hearth to strip him of his mortal flesh<ref name=":0" />. With each day Demophon grew but she was unable to complete the ritual because she was discovered burying the babe in the fire<ref name=":0" />. |
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The Eleusinian Mysteries were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece. They are considered the "most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece"<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica''</ref>. |
The Eleusinian Mysteries were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece. They are considered the "most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece"<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica''</ref>. |
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In the archaic [[Homeric Hymns#List of the Homeric Hymns|Homeric ''Hymn to Demeter'']], Triptolemus is briefly mentioned as one of the original priests of Demeter, one of the first men to learn the secret rites and mysteries of [[Eleusinian Mysteries]]: [[Diocles (mythology)|Diocles]], [[Eumolpos]], [[Celeus]] and [[Polyxeinus]] were the others mentioned of the first priests<ref name=":2" />. According to [[Xenophon]], Triptolemus first shares the rites of Demeter and |
In the archaic [[Homeric Hymns#List of the Homeric Hymns|Homeric ''Hymn to Demeter'']], Triptolemus is briefly mentioned as one of the original priests of Demeter, one of the first men to learn the secret rites and mysteries of [[Eleusinian Mysteries]]: [[Diocles (mythology)|Diocles]], [[Eumolpos]], [[Celeus]] and [[Polyxeinus]] were the others mentioned of the first priests<ref name=":2" />. According to [[Xenophon]], Triptolemus first shares the rites of Demeter and Persephone with Heracles, the traditional ancestor of the Spartan kings, and the [[Castor and Pollux|Dioscuri]], twin deities Castor and Pollux<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Xenophon, Hellenica, Book 6, chapter 3 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0206:book=6:chapter=3&highlight=triptolemus |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu}}</ref>. He also states that Peloponnesus was the first place Triptolemus shared Demeter's agricultural gift<ref name=":5" />. |
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Triptolemus' role at Eleusis is unique as he was one of the first men to learn the mystic rites and was a pupil of Demeter who was charged with bringing agriculture to humankind. Separate from the Mysteries, Triptolemus was thought to have a cult of his own<ref name=":4" />. In the 5th-century bas-relief in the National Museum, Athens (''illustration''), which probably came from his temple, the boy Triptolemus stands between the two Goddesses, [[Demeter]] and the [[Persephone|Kore]], and receives from Demeter a golden ear of grain (now lost). |
Triptolemus' role at Eleusis is unique as he was one of the first men to learn the mystic rites and was a pupil of Demeter who was charged with bringing agriculture to humankind. Separate from the Mysteries, Triptolemus was thought to have a cult of his own<ref name=":4" />. In the 5th-century bas-relief in the National Museum, Athens (''illustration''), which probably came from his temple, the boy Triptolemus stands between the two Goddesses, [[Demeter]] and the [[Persephone|Kore]], and receives from Demeter a golden ear of grain (now lost). |
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Article Draft
Lead - want to edit side box more, continuing to rewrite the lead
| Triptolemus | |
|---|---|
 Detail of Demeter gifting a chariot of winged dragons to Triptolemus | |
| Abode | Eleusis, Elysium, Hades |
| Mount | Dragon-drawn chariot |
| Parents | Oceanus and Gaia, or Celeus and Metanira |
Triptolemus /ˌtrɪpˈtɒlɪməs/ (Template:Lang-el), also known as Buzyges (Template:Lang-el), was a hero in Greek mythology, central to the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Triptolemus' parentage is highly debated across sources: He was either a mortal prince and the eldest son of King Celeus of Eleusis and Metanira or according to [Psuedo-]Apollodorus, Panyasis believed he was the son of Eleusis, while Pherecydes believed he was the son of the divine son of Gaia and Oceanus (Ocean and Earth).[1] Multiple other parentage combinations have been mentioned by other authors. Triptolemus was the ancestor to a royal priestly caste of the Eleusinian Mysteries, who claimed to be Buzygae (Βουζύγαι), that taught agriculture and performed secret rites and rituals, of which Pericles was its most famous descendant.[2]
Article body
Mythology
Origin of Triptolemus' Agricultural Gifts
Triptolemus' first introduction to Demeter is during Demeter's search for her daughter following the abduction of Persephone. While Demeter, in the guise of an old woman[3] named Doso[4], was searching for her daughter Persephone (Kore), who had been abducted by Hades (Pluto)[5], she received a hospitable welcome from Celeus, the King of Eleusis. He asked her to nurse Demophon—"killer of men", a counterpart to Triptolemus— and Triptolemus, his sons by Metanira.
Demeter saw Triptolemus was sick and fed him her breast milk and placed him under the hot coals of a fire[6]. Not only did this recover his strength but he grew instantly into manhood.[6] As a gift to Celeus, in gratitude for his hospitality, Demeter secretly planned to make Demophon immortal by placing him in the flames of the hearth to strip him of his mortal flesh[1]. With each day Demophon grew but she was unable to complete the ritual because she was discovered burying the babe in the fire[1].
Instead, Demeter gifted Triptolemus a chariot drawn by winged dragons and wheat, representative of the gift of agriculture[1]. Demeter taught Triptolemus the art of agriculture and shared with him how to conduct her rites and taught him her mysteries[7]. From Triptolemus, the rest of Greece learned to plant and reap crops as he flew across the land on his chariot wafting the wheat through the air to sow crops across the inhabitied earth[1]. Demeter and Persephone, once restored to her mother, cared for him, and helped him complete his mission of educating the whole of Greece in the art of agriculture. [citation needed]
In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Triptolemus is not a son of Celeus and Metanira but rather known as a king of Eleusis who served justice[7], and Demeter is asked to nurse their only son Demophon[8]. Rather than nurse Demophon, Demeter anoints him with ambrosia, the food of the gods, breathes on him gently while holding him to her chest, and places him within the flames of fire during the night, all in an effort to make him immortal[8]. Demeter is foiled in her plan in this retelling as well.
Triptolemus was equally associated with the bestowal of hope for the afterlife associated with the expansion of the Eleusinian Mysteries [9]. (this could be removed or relocated)
Spreading the Art of Agriculture
Triptolemus traveled to Scythia on his dragon drawn chariot to teach King Lyncus and the Scythians the art of agriculture. Bearing the gifts of Demeter, he scattered seeds across Scythia so the realm may yelid a large harvest of good food. Lyncus grew envious of Triptolemus and his gift of agriculture, so he planned to murder Triptolemus while he slept, hoping that he coud recieve the praise for the harvest instead. Before Lycus could enact his plan he was twarted by Demeter who turned him into a lynx as punishment and sent Triptolemus back into the sky in her chariot[10].
Triptolemus also traveled to the kingdom of Getae where he intended to continue to spread the art of agriculture and share grain with the people. The king of Getae, Charnabon (also spelt Carnabon) made an attempt at Triptolemus' life, seized him and ordering one of the chariot dragons to be killed keep Triptolemus from escaping. Again Demeter came to Triptolemus' rescue, returning the chariot to him and replacing the lost dragon[11].
Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece. They are considered the "most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece"[12].
In the archaic Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Triptolemus is briefly mentioned as one of the original priests of Demeter, one of the first men to learn the secret rites and mysteries of Eleusinian Mysteries: Diocles, Eumolpos, Celeus and Polyxeinus were the others mentioned of the first priests[7]. According to Xenophon, Triptolemus first shares the rites of Demeter and Persephone with Heracles, the traditional ancestor of the Spartan kings, and the Dioscuri, twin deities Castor and Pollux[13]. He also states that Peloponnesus was the first place Triptolemus shared Demeter's agricultural gift[13].
Triptolemus' role at Eleusis is unique as he was one of the first men to learn the mystic rites and was a pupil of Demeter who was charged with bringing agriculture to humankind. Separate from the Mysteries, Triptolemus was thought to have a cult of his own[9]. In the 5th-century bas-relief in the National Museum, Athens (illustration), which probably came from his temple, the boy Triptolemus stands between the two Goddesses, Demeter and the Kore, and receives from Demeter a golden ear of grain (now lost).
Triptolemus was given three commandments to living a simple and pious life: "Honor your parents", "Honor the gods with fruits"—for the Greeks, this includes grains—and "Spare the animals"[9].
Triptolemus is also depicted as a young man with a branch or diadem placed in his hair, usually sitting on his chariot, adorned with serpents. His attributes include a plate of grain, a pair of wheat or barley ears and a scepter[citation needed].
Celeus or the peasant Dysaules may be substituted for Triptolemus as the primordial Eleusinian recipient of the first gifts of the Mysteries[citation needed].
Role as Judge of the Afterlife - new section to continue editing
Triptolemus acted as one of the judges of the afterlife following his death (Plato, Apology).
| Relation | Names | Sources | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schol. on Hesiod | Orphic Frag.[full citation needed] | Pher. | Mus. | Choe. | Pany. | Ovid | Sch. on Stat. | Apol. | Hyg. | Paus. | Serv. | Unknown | ||
| Parentage | Cheimarrhoos and Polymnia | ✓[14] | ||||||||||||
| Dysaules | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||||
| Oceanus and Gaia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||
| Rharos and daughter of Amphictyon | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||||
| Celeus and Metanira | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||||||
| Celeus and Polymnia | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Eleusis | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||||
| Eleusinos (Eleusis) and Hyona | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Eleusinos (Eleusis) and Cothonea | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Eleusinos (Eleusis) and Cyntinea | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Trochilus and Eleusinian woman | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Siblings | Eubuleus | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||||||
| Cercyon (half-brother) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||||||
| Diogeneia | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Pammerope | ✓ | |||||||||||||
| Saesara | ✓ | |||||||||||||
References
- ^ a b c d e "Apollodorus, Library, book 1, chapter 5". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ Bloch, René (Berne) (2006-10-01), "Buzygae", Brill’s New Pauly, Brill, retrieved 2023-07-27
- ^ "Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 87". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 118". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 40". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b William Godwin (1876). "Lives of the Necromancers". p. 37.
- ^ a b c "Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 449". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b "Hymn 2 to Demeter, line 213". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b c Kerenyi, Karl (1967). Eleusis; archetypal image of mother and daughter. Translated by Manheim, Ralph (3rd, Translated from the original manuscript of the author ed.). New York, NY: Bollingen Foundation. pp. 120–130. ISBN 9780691019154.
- ^ "P. Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses, Book 5, line 572". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ Hyginus. Grant, Mary (ed.). "Astronomica Book 2". topostext.org. no. 34. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ a b "Xenophon, Hellenica, Book 6, chapter 3". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Scholia on Hesiod, Works and Days, 1, p. 28