Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

"Introduction. 25philosophy. At first sight, this may be hard to believe ;but we must know that no pageant could hold place solong, without an under-meaning. Indeed, Herodotusasserts thatthe rites called Orphic and Bacchic are inreality Egyptian and Pythagorean."*The influence ofthe doctrines of Pythagoras upon the Platonic systemis generally acknowledged. It isonly important inthat case to understand the great philosopher correctly ;and we have a key to the doctrines and symbolism ofthe Mysteries.The first initiations of the Eleusinia were calledTeletce or terminations, as denoting that the imperfectand rudimentary period of generated life was endedand purged off;and the candidate was denominated amysta, a vailed or liberated person. The GreaterMysteries completed the work;the candidate was morefully instructed and disciplined, becoming an epoptaor seer.He was now regarded as havingarcane principles of life.received theThis was also the end soughtby philosophy. The soul was believed to be of composite nature,world,linked on the one side to the eternalemanating from God, and so partakingvinity. On the other hand,of Diit was also allied to thephenomenal or external world, and so liable to besubjected to passion, lust, and the bondageof evils.This condition is denominated generation ;and is supposed to be a kind of death to the higher form of life.Evil is inherent in this condition;and the soul dwells*HERODOTUS: ii. 81.