Celeus

• a king in Eleusis, father of Triptolemus. He or his son was taught agriculture by Ceres, whom he entertained as a guest, Hyg. Fab. 147; Ov. F. 4, 508; Verg. G. 1, 165 Serv. et Philarg.

(Κηλεός), a king of Eleusis, and husband of Metaneira. When Demeter, on her wanderings in search of her daughter, came to Eleusis, she stayed in the house of Celeus. The goddess wished to make his son Demophon immortal, and, in order to destroy his mortal parts, she put him at night into the fire; but Metaneira, ignorant of the object, screamed aloud on seeing her child in the fire, and Demophon was destroyed by the flames. Demeter, to make up for the loss, bestowed great favours upon Triptolemus, the other son of Celeus. (Apollod. 1.5.1; Triptolemus.) Celeus is described as the first priest of Demeter at Eleusis, and his daughters as priestesses of the goddess. (Hom. Hym. in Dem. 101, &c.; Paus. 1.38.3, 2.14.2.) There is another mythical personage of this name. (Ant. Lib. 1.9 ) [L.S]

(Κελεός). King of Eleusis, husband of Metanira, and father of Demophon and Triptolemus. He received Demeter with hospitality at Eleusis, when she was wandering in search of her daughter. The goddess, in return, wished to make his son Demophon immortal, and placed him in the fire in order to destroy his mortal parts; but Metanira screamed aloud at the sight, and Demophon was destroyed by the flames. Demeter then bestowed great favours upon Triptolemus. (See Triptolemus.) Celeus is described as the first priest, and his daughters as the first priestesses, of Demeter at Eleusis. See the Homeric hymn to Demeter, 146 foll.

• husband of Metanira, father of Demophon: Apollod. 1.5.1
• father of Triptolemus: Paus. 1.14.2and of Saesara: Paus. 1.38.2
• brother of Dysaules: Paus. 2.14.2
• welcomes Demeter at Eleusis: Apollod. 3.14.6
• is taught the sacred rites by Demeter: Paus. 2.14.3
• his daughters receive Demeter: Paus. 1.39.1, and celebrate Eleusinian rites: Paus. 1.38.3