Blurb:

This paper proposes an alternative way to reconstruct worshippers’ participation in the Eleusinian Mysteries by exploring their resilience in the observance of the mysteries during a series of military events. In this paper, I would like to reconstruct the history of some of these aspects by looking at the concrete details of ancient stories of divine signs and support, as well as on how certain military and political actors may have influenced and facilitated the celebration of the Mysteries during the Classical period. First, I shall start by discussing the evidence concerning recent theories about the development of psychological resilience in uncertain times, and will then turn to two case-studies which I believe, are indicative of this process. The first part of this study will focus on the myths of divine support that shaped the historic realities and personal as well as collective resilience of the military participants just before the battle of Salamis (Herodotus 8.65). While, the second part of this investigation will attempt to reconstruct worshippers’ resilience by discussing the impact of Alcibiades’ strategy to provide a military escort for the ritual procession to Eleusis during the Peloponnesian War.