CULT OF DEMETER IN ERYTHRAI

The ancient city of Erythrai that has been located near Ild？r？ of ？e？me town in ？zmir is one of the 12 Ionian cities. As a consequence of the excavations and the researches in the city, it has been determined that there were many worshipping rituals for many Gods/Goddesses mainly including Athena and Heracles. One of these goddesses is Demeter. Demeter-known as the goddess of agriculture and grain-is usually illustrated with his daughter Persephone. Many epigraphic material that has been found in the city indicate that there had been 7 different worship rituals for Demeter and Persphone in Erythrai. In this study, the worshipping rituals for Demeter have been evaluated in the light of epigraphic, numismatic and archaeological finding