Lesser Propylaia
Lesser Propylaia

<Location> Elefsina (Eleusis site), Suburb of Athens, Greece

Lesser Propylaea
As already mentioned referring to the Great Propylaia, the sanctuary has double gateways, and this smaller one is situated at an inner place. Before the construction of the outer propylaia, this was probably the only one gateway to the sanctuary.

Inscription of Appius Claudius Pulcher

In the photo above is the architrave with an insciption of Appius Claudius Pulcher, a friend of Cicero (CIL III, 547). It records that Pulcher vowed to construct this propylaia in honour of Demeter and Persephone (Ceres and Proserpina in Latin) during his consulship (54 BC), start the work during/after he was governor of Cilicia (53-51 BC), and completed and dedicated after his death by his nephews and heirs Pulcher Claudius and Rex Marcius after Pulcher's death.

On the metopes, there are reliefs of corn ears, secred chests and poppies, all attributes of the cult.

Lesser Propylaea
As you can see in the first photo, the propylaia had three passages. In the photo right is the central and widest one that used to have two doors. The wheels under the doors left deep marks on the ground.

Reference

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