Hieropoioi
The increased needs of the Greater Mysteries required the contribution of many priests and officials for their successful organisation, as well as innumerable support staff. The hieropoioi were official civil servants of Athens who participated seasonally in preparing and performing sacrifices during the major religious festivals. As the Greater Mysteries were performed in the month of Boedromion, the hieropoioi came from the Aigeis tribe, who were prytaneis during that month. The ten hieropoioi were in charge of the sacrifices offered by the Boule to the two goddesses. There were also the hieropoioi en Boule responsible for carrying the aparche sent by the Athenian state to the sanctuary of Eleusis.
Sacrifice to Ceres, Anne Claude Philippe de Caylus, 1738, engraving, Berlin State Museums…
