Samothrace: The Cult More Secretive than Eleusis

You know the Eleusis of Demeter and Kore well. That sanctuary is usually considered the most important and mysterious secret cult of Ancient Greece. But on the island of Samothrace there emerged an even more secretive cult. For centuries, pilgrims flocked to its sanctuary seeking the favor of mysterious gods whose true names were never spoken. Initiates confessed their darkest deeds, donned purple sashes and iron rings, and unlocked secrets that promised safe passage across treacherous seas. The legendary Nike of Samothrace stands as a testament to the power of these ancient rites. Come along as we discuss and explore this mysterious secret initiation cult which rivaled Eleusis in prestige and power! SOURCES/SUGGESTED READINGS (All READINGS AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE ON MY PATREON): Wescoat, D and Osterhout, R. eds. 2013 The Architecture of the Sacred, ch. 3 "Coming and Going in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace." pp. 66-113. Dimitrova, Nora M. 2008. Theoroi and Initiates in Samothrace. Hesperia Supp. 17. Questions? Drop me (Aaron) a comment below or email at [email protected] Greek myth explained: What is Myth?:    • What is Myth?   Was Greece an Egyptian colony?:    • Was Ancient Greece an Egyptian colony?   Did Ancient Greece have Ancient History?:    • Did "Ancient" Greece have Ancient History?   Did the Greeks Believe in their Myths?:    • Did the Greeks Believe in their Myths?   Medusa:    • Medusa: Maligned Goddess or Hideous Monster?   Greek Religious Practice: The Truth about Ancient Sacrifice:    • The Truth about Ancient Sacrifice   The Orphic Mysteries: https: //   • The Secrets of the Orphic Mysteries   Homer's Theory of the Soul:    • Homer's Theory of the Mind: Psyche, Thumos...   Dionysus Zagreus:    • The most extraordinary tale in Greek mytho...   Dionysus: the Ultimate Guide:    • Dionysus: the Ultimate Guide   Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:39 - Occluded Origins 02:52 - The Sanctuary 06:35 - Heroic Cycles 09:26 - Deep Meanings: Syncretism and Linguistics