THESMOPHORIA

Abstract

Ancient Age women were in a social order in which they do not haveany legal rights nor a social status. On the contrary, these women are also atthe forefront in the religious activities. Even some cults were exclusively openfor only women. The best example for this is the rituals, which were done inthe name of Demeter.The name of Goddess of Earth and fertility –Demeter- originates from the“Gemeter” that means the Mother Earth. She is from the second generationof gods and goddesses and daughter of Kronos and Rhea. The offspring of herrelationship with Zeus who is also her brother is called Kore or Persephone. Inthe structural context, Demeter is a derivation of Earth and fertility goddessesof Neolithic times.The Daughter of Demeter Kore-Persephone was kidnapped by Hades andbecame the Goddess of underworld. The original name of the goddess wasKore, which means the “daughter”. Hades named her “Persephone” after shebecame the goddess of the underworld.The mysteries’ of the Demeter were taped to the myth of Demeter and herdaughter Persephone. The time Demeter remains separated from Persephonewas perceived as winter while the time when she meets Persephone wasperceived as spring.Thesmophoria is one of the religious rituals, which were organized forDemeter. Swine sacrificing, fast and purifications were the main rituals ofThesmophoria.

Keywords

• demeter
• kore
• persephone
• thesmophoria
• eleusis mysteria’s
• woman in ancient time