Triptolemus
Triptolemus
- Nicholas J. Richardson
Extract
Triptolemus, one of the princes of *Eleusis in the Homeric*Hymnto Demeter (153, 474), to whom the goddess teaches her *mysteries. Athens claimed that he was given corn and the arts of agriculture by *Demeter, and then taught these to other nations. He is frequently portrayed in Attic art from the mid-6th cent. bce onwards receiving Demeter's gifts and setting out on his travels on a wheeled car, which is sometimes winged. *Sophocles'(1)Triptolemus (frs. 596–617 Radt) perhaps contributed to his popularity. He was worshipped at Eleusis, was regarded as a lawgiver (Xenocrates fr. 98 Heinze), and became one of the judges in the underworld (Pl.Ap. 41a).
Subjects
- Greek Myth and Religion
