A ritual is usually a ceremony that includes a series of actions performed in a certain order. In most cases rituals originate from myths. In Athens, several people participated in a group of events known as the Eleusinian Mysteries, hoping for a fulfilling and grand afterlife. The Eleusinian Mysteries, a cult centered on the myth of Persephone's journey to and from the underworld, were celebrated from the 8th century BC until the Hellenistic period. For the ancient Greeks, myths had a purpose and that was to essentially explain the world around them. The myth and mysteries themselves were a symbol of life, death and rebirth. The mysteries were created by history and was their way of demonstrating their honor and faith in the two goddesses. The events that occurred during the Eleusinian Mysteries symbolized a part of the myth of Demeter and Persephone, which is evidence that the rituals practiced are associated with the myth. Anyone except those who did not speak Greek or had committed murder could participate in these rituals. . Although most of the things that happened in the Hall of Initiation were supposed to remain secret, some have been revealed. The mysteries were divided into two parts, the Lesser Mysteries and the Greater Mysteries. The Lesser Mysteries, which took place every year, were a preparation for the Greater Mysteries and represented the first time Persephone was in the underworld. Hades, god of the underworld, saw Persephone and wanted to make her his wife. Persephone didn't like it, so he kidnapped her and took her to the underworld. Persephone was the main focal point and was honored during these rituals. Before continuing, the participants in Rivera 2 had to purify themselves to distance themselves from...... middle of paper... the participants did not wear crowns or eat pomegranate seeds that had touched the ground because Persephone had been stolen while picking flowers, and because he had eaten pomegranate seeds in the underworld (Foley, 72/Taylor 1995). Works Cited "Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies." Secret Teachings of All Ages: Part Three. NP, 30 June 2007. Web. 04 December 2013. "The Ecole initiative: the Eleusinian mysteries." The Ecole initiative: the Eleusinian mysteries. Np, 01 November 2007. Web. 04 December 2013."The Eleusinian Mysteries." For your faith. Np, nd Web. 05 December 2013."The Eleusinian Mysteries and the cult of Demeter." By TimHarry. Np, 24 Oct 2013. Web. 05 Dec 2013. Taylor, Kelly B. “The Seasons of Death: The Eleusinian Rites of Demeter.” The Seasons of Death: The Eleusinian Rites of Demeter. Np, 4 December 1995. Web. 05 December. 2013.