HIEROPHANTES, or HIEROPHANTA, (from
hieros holy, and phantas I appear), in antiquity, a priest
among the Athenians.
The hierophantes was properly the chief person that
officiated in the Eleusinian, that great solemnity sacred
to Ceres.
This office was first executed by Eumolpus, and
continued in his family for 1200 years, though when
any person was appointed to this dignity he was re-
quired always to live in celibacy.
St Jerome says, that the hierophantes extinguished
the fire of lust by drinking cicuta or the juice of hem-
lock, or even by making themselves eunuchs. Apol-
lodorus observes, that it was the hierophantes who in-
structed persons initiated into their religion in the
mysteries and duties thereof, and that it was hence he
derived his name: for the same reason he was called
prophetes, "the prophet." He had officers under him
to do the same thing, or to assist him therein, who
were also called prophetes and exeges, i. e. "explainers
of divine things."
To the hierophantes it belonged to dress and adorn
the statues of the gods, and to bear them in processions
and solemn ceremonies.