Long before I arrived here in January, I was curious about the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most important ritual site in ancient Athens, whose fame spread around the ancient world. What is so intriguing about Eleusis is that, despite the fact that many thousands of initiates took part in the ritual over so many centuries, no one ever divulged the secrets of what took place. Alcibiades, Socrates’ beloved student and double-crossing political opportunist, is said to have played out scenes from the Mysteries in his home in Athens. So what really happened at Eleusis? Poppy has spent her entire career at Eleusis and has been working there for over 30 years out of sheer love for the place.

Source: New York Times March 13, 2019 15:00 UTC