Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is an oration that praises the greatness and sanctity of the destroyed sanctuary of Eleusis while deeply mourning its unprecedented disaster. The speaker begins by lamenting the ruined state of the temple and extols the sacred renown of Eleusis, referencing the myths of Demeter and Kore, the origins of agriculture, and the historical retreat of the Dorians. Furthermore, the narration looks back at how the sanctuary remained miraculously unharmed through past conflicts, such as the Persian Wars and domestic strifes, and emphasizes the significance of the Eleusinian Mysteries (mystēria) which offer salvation for both this life and the afterlife. In conclusion, while profoundly grieving the current unparalleled catastrophe of the sanctuary's destruction, the speaker passionately calls upon the Greeks to rise up and take action.