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The Eleusinian Mysteries were a theatrical experience, no pharmacological agent was required to produce the described visions

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The Eleusinian Mysteries were a theatrical experience, no pharmacological agent was required to produce the described visions

Unresolved The Road to Eleusis

Walter Burkert, the leading scholar of ancient Greek religion, argued that theatrical performance, psychological suggestion, and the powerful ritual context were sufficient. The Road to Eleusis hypothesis argues the consistent testimony of 'vision' (not 'emotion') language across five centuries requires a pharmacological explanation. The Mas Castellar de Pontós findings (2019-2020) provide physical evidence of ergot at an affiliated site. Direct testing at Eleusis has not been done. Both positions remain arguable from the available evidence.

Burkert (1987); Wasson, Hofmann & Ruck (1978); Juan-Tresserras (2019-2020) [Source not found; under review]

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