Consult: Mommsen, Peste der Stadt then (Leipzig. 1898) : Nebe. De usteriornm siniorunt Tent pore et .1dministratione Publica (Halle, 188(1) ; Strube, Bibb-Ha-cis eon. Eleusis (Leipzig, 1870, 1872) ; Fouc•art, Recherches sur I'oriqiuc et in nature des mysten's d'Eleusis ( Paris, 1895), and Les wands mystf'res d'Eleusis • fib.. 1)100), very valuable, though the author's theory of the Egyptian origin of the mysteries is nut generally accepted; Cardner, New Chapters in Greek History (London, 1892), and the works cited under ELECTS'S.
Next to the Eleusinian the most prominent were the Samothracian mysteries of the Cabiri or great gods. Originally these seem to have been two in number, though later we find two god desses added, and the four. Axieros. Axiokersa, Axiokersos, and Kasmilos, were identified by the grammarians with Demeter. Persephone, Ilades, and Hermes. The rites were believed to afford protection against the perils of the sea, and were doubtless in early times largely confined to seamen. Consult: Cruise, lYntersuchangen oaf Samotlo•ake (Vienna, 1875-80) , and Preller Robert, G-ricehisehe Mythologic.i,2,(Berlin,1894)4
Another sanctuary of the Cabiri lay near Thebes, where we find the deities worshiped as Cabiros and Pais, o• 'boy.' The objects found seem to indicate that these mysteries were or giastic in character. See A thenisehe Mittheihoz yen des deatschcn• are)dologische,v Instil a Is, vols. xiii. and xv, (Athens, IS88-90).
In the course of time other mysteries, such as those of Isis, Sabazios, Mithras, and other Ori ental deities, spread through the Greek world, and at all times there were private sects, like the followers of Orpheus (q.v.), who professed to possess secret teachings which could inure peace and happiness in the other world to those who followed their directions here.
On the general subject of the Mysteries, consult in addition to the books named above: Petersen, Der geheime Gottesdienst Lei den Grieehen (Ham burg, l 848 ) ; Rohde, Psyche 3(1 ed., Leipzig, 1902) ; Aurich, Das unlike 11 ysterienursen in seinent Einfluss oaf dos Christentum (Giittiugen, 1894).