Note 1367 — Chapter X · ORPHIC MYSTERIES. (continued 2)

The singular and very peculiar ritual of bull-sacrifice described in the Kritias of Plato, and represented on imperial coins of Ilium, has recently been elucidated by Dr von Fritze (‘Troja und Ilium,’ Beiträge, pp. 514, 563). It probably took place at Eleusis, cf. C.I.A. II. 467, ἤραντο δὲ τοῖς Μυστηρίοις τοὺς βοῦς ἐν Ἐλευσῖνι τῇ θυσίᾳ. But this ceremony I believe to have been part of the primitive ritual of Poseidon at Eleusis, which, interesting though it is, does not here concern us. Of an Omophagia at Eleusis the ‘tokens’ contain no trace, though the bull-ritual of Poseidon may have facilitated the affiliation of Dionysos.