The Gothic leader Alaric destroyed Eleusis in ad 395, and the site remained deserted until the 18th century, when it was revived as the modern town of Eleusis (Greek Lepsina), now an industrial suburb of Athens.

What happened at Eleusis?

Eleusinian Mysteries, most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece. According to the myth told in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, the earth goddess Demeter (q.v.) went to Eleusis in search of her daughter Kore (Persephone), who had been abducted by Hades (Pluto), god of the underworld.

What does the name Eleusis mean?

1640s, “pertaining to Eleusis,” town outside Athens, site of the mystery associated with the cult of Demeter, goddess of harvests, and her daughter. The name is literally “arrival” (eleusis), from eleusomai “to go, come,” from PIE *elu-to-, from root *leudh- “to grow up, come out” (see liberal (adj.)).