Celeus

Celeus (Greek Κελεός ), also Celeus, was a mythical king of Eleusis, in whose house Demeter stopped off in search of Persephone. He was the husband of Metaneira and father of Demophon and Triptolemus.

As Demeter in search of the stolen by Hades daughter Persephone in the form of an old woman walked among the people, she came to Eleusis and rested under an olive tree at the Mermaid Fountain, where you Callidice, Cleisidice, demo and Callithoe, the four daughters of Celeus, met. Ask the supposed old woman, where she was from and why because she was so far from home. Demeter replied that her name was Doso she came from Crete and was robbed by pirates, this eventually escape.

Then invited the daughters of Celeus Demeter in her father's house, where she was kindly received by Metaneira. But the goddess was quiet and full of grief, did not eat or drink anything until the servant Iambe brought by loose jokes smile. The wine offered, rejected it, but called instead for Kykeon as a drink. The Goddess then took over the care of the newborn Demophon. They anointed the boy with ambrosia, which he prospered wonderfully and rather resembled a god than a man, but when they stopped him one night in the fire to make him immortal, she was surprised by Metaneira which arose a great cry, as they said, a crazy old nurse wanted to burn her son.

This goddess was very angry and tore the boy from the fire, causing it remained addicted to death. Then they showed up in their true form and demanded that a temple be built to her at Eleusis, which was done.

When Demeter finally donated the Mysteries of Eleusis, was Celeus the first of the High Priest.

In the Homeric Hymn Triptolemos is not a son of Celeus, but one of the princes of Eleusis. After Pamphos the names of the daughters Diogeneia, Pammerope and Saisara should be. Pausanias claims that Homer agree with Pamphos herein.

Swell

• Homeric Hymn to Demeter 2 99-305
• Libraries of Apollodorus 1.5.1-2, 3.14.7
• Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.39.1