Demophon of Eleusis

Demophon (Greek Δημοφῶν, also Δημοφόων ) In Greek mythology, the son of the Eleusinian king Celeus and his wife Metaneira.

Myth

The king took the goddess Demeter to live with him, than this wandering in the world and in vain sought her daughter Persephone. 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.

In the Libraries of Apollodorus Demophon is consumed by fire, which may appear as grounds that Triptolemos instead Demophon bring the grain to the people. In later times, then Triptolemos appear at all in place of Demophon, for example in the Fasti of Ovid, where Triptolemos is the sickly son of poor peasants Celeus.

Cult

According to the Homeric hymn ( v. 265ff ) there was a Demeter inserted to the beginning of spring festival held annually with fighting games among the boys of Eleusis in honor of Demophon.

Kevin Clinton does not believe that these were the Eleusinia, rather he takes the Balletys ( Βαλλετύς ) as a cult festival of Demophon, since this corresponds to the specification of Hesychius and Balletys and Eleusinia the time of Athenaeus were separate parties.

Swell

• Homeric Hymn to Demeter 233-255 2
• Libraries of Apollodorus 1.31 ( 1.5.1 )
• Ovid Fasti 4539-560