Editing Elefsina (section)

==== Classical Greek and Roman History ====

During the [[Greco-Persian Wars]], the ancient temple of Demeter was burnt down by the [[ancient Persia|Persians]] in 484&nbsp;BC;<ref>{{Cite Herodotus|9.65}}</ref> and it was not until the administration of [[Pericles]] that an attempt was made to rebuild it. When the power of the [[Thirty Tyrants]] was overthrown after the [[Peloponnesian War]], they retired to Eleusis, which they had secured beforehand, but where they maintained themselves for only a short time.<ref>{{Cite Hellenica|2.4.8, ''et seq.''; 2.4.43}}</ref>

The town of Eleusis and its immediate neighbourhood were exposed to inundations from the river [[Cephissus (Athenian plain)|Cephissus]], which, though almost dry during the greater part of the year, is sometimes swollen to such an extent as to spread itself over a large part of the plain. [[Demosthenes]] (384 – 322 BC) alludes to inundations at Eleusis;<ref>[[Demosthenes]], ''c. Callicl.'' p. 1279.</ref>

[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] ({{Circa|110|180 AD}}) has left us only a very brief description of Eleusis;<ref>{{Cite Pausanias|1|38|6}}</ref>
{{quote|The Eleusinians have a temple of [[Triptolemus]], another of [[Artemis]] Propylaea, and a third of [[Poseidon]] the Father, and a well called Callichorum, where the Eleusinian women first instituted a dance and sang in honour of the goddess. They say that the Rharian plain was the first place in which corn was sown and first produced a harvest, and that hence barley from this plain is employed for making sacrificial cakes. There the so-called threshing-floor and altar of Triptolemus are shown. The things within the wall of the Hierum [i.e., the temple of Demeter] a dream forbade me to describe.}}

Under the [[Roman Greece|Romans]] Eleusis enjoyed great prosperity, as initiation into its mysteries became fashionable among the Roman nobles.

[[Hadrian]] was initiated into the Mysteries in about 125<ref>Eusebius: Chronicle</ref> and raised embankments in the plain of the river in consequence of a flood which occurred while he was spending the winter at Athens.<ref>Euseb. Chron. p. 81</ref>

To the same emperor most likely Eleusis was indebted for a supply of good water by means of the aqueduct, completed in about 160 AD. Apart from satisfying the need for drinking water, it also enabled the construction of public fountains and baths. It was fed by springs in Mount Parnitha and used mainly underground tunnels. It crossed the Thriasian Plain and turned abruptly towards the south at the outskirts of Eleusis. The best visible remains are on the east side of Dimitros Street.

It was destroyed by [[Alaric I]] in 396&nbsp;AD, and from that time disappears from history.