Editing Kykeon (section)

==Ancient sources and description==
Kykeon is mentioned in [[Homer]]ic texts: the [[Iliad]] describes it as consisting of Pramnian [[wine]], [[barley]], and grated [[goat's cheese]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Homer |author-link=Homer |title=[[Iliad]] |at=XI, 638–641}}</ref> In the [[Odyssey]], [[Circe]] adds some honey and pours her magic potion into it.<ref>{{cite book |author=Homer |author-link=Homer |title=[[Odyssey]] |at=X, 234}}</ref> In the [[Homeric Hymn]] to [[Demeter]], the goddess refuses red wine but accepts kykeon made from water, barley, and [[Mentha pulegium|pennyroyal]].<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Homeric Hymn]]s |chapter=Homeric Hymn to Demeter |at=210}}</ref>

Pennyroyal, or mint, was supposed to have digestive properties: In [[Aristophanes]]' ''[[Peace (Aristophanes)|Peace]]'' [[Hermes]] recommends it to the hero who ate too much dry fruit and nuts.<ref>{{cite book |type=play |author=Aristophanes |author-link=Aristophanes |title=[[Peace (Aristophanes)|Peace]] |at=v. 712}}</ref> Pennyroyal was also said to have medicinal qualities for women, acting as a contraceptive and abortifacient and in birthing and nursing the newborn.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt3fgxdk?turn_away=true&seq=20 |title=The Homeric "Hymn to Demeter": Translation, Commentary, and Interpretive Essays |date=1994 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-01479-1 |edition=STU - Student}}</ref> This possibly could have linked the Eleusinian mysteries to female sexuality. However, its use as a digestive aid could have also been useful in breaking a fast.<ref name=":2" />

Aristocrats shunned it as a peasant drink: [[Theophrastus]]' ''Characters'' depicts a peasant who goes to the [[Ecclesia (ancient Athens)|Ecclesia]] drunk with kykeon.<ref>{{cite book |author=Theophrastus |author-link=Theophrastus |title=Characters |at=IV, 2–3}}</ref>