ELEUSIS  , an

ancient Greek city in Attica about 14 M . N.W. of Athens, occupying the eastern part of a rocky ridge close to the shore opposite the island of Salamis.' Its fame is due chiefly to its Mysteries, for which see MYSTERY . Tradition carries back the origin of Eleusis to the highest antiquity . In the earlier period of its history it seems to have been an independent rival of Athens, and it was afterwards reckoned one of the twelve Old Attic cities . A considerable portion of its small territory was occupied by the plains of Thria, noticeable for their fertility, though the hopes of the husbandmen were not unfrequently disappointed by the blight of the south wind . To the west was the lleMov 'Papwv or Rharian Plain, where Demeter is said to Primitive 6th . Century 5th . & 4th . Century Macedonian Roman Scale of Metres I0 2p 30 40 Scale of Yards 1P z0 j0 40 5o r climbing plants with slender herbaceous or shrubby shoots, to which belong the yam and the British black bryony, Tamus communis .