The myth of Demeter and Persephone is one of kidnapping, incest and betrayal. This myth has also impacted the way seasons change, how worshiping Demeter came to be. Demeter is the mother of Persephone and sister of Zeus and Hades. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter and Zeus and niece to Hades. Zeus is the husband and brother to Demeter, father to Persephone and brother to Hades. Hades, brother to Zeus and Demeter and uncle to Persephone.
Demeter is the Greek Goddess of grain and agriculture. She is worshipped with her daughter, Persephone who represents the life force of the grain and disappears from the earth when the seed is put into the ground to die and be born again. Demeter is the daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea. She …show more content…
Cults such as these are known as mystery religions; only those who have been initiated into the mysteries benefit. Those who were in the cult were promised a privileged fate after death. They felt closer to the gods and that they would obtain blessing in the afterlife.
This myth shows us the grief of Persephone and Demeter, as it also shows us that the Persephone eventually comes to accept Hades. Persephone goes down into the underworld and comes back. The origin of worship at Eleusis is an explanation of worship to Demeter during her time of grief for Persephone. We also see the origin and the importance of the change of the seasons like today. Certain seasons are needed for seeds to grow and prosper. We see Zeus’ and Hades decisions about women and goddesses in an Athenian Society.
In conclusion the story of Demeter and Persephone is enlightening for the time that it happened in and gave birth to a cult, worship and sacrifice to the Great Goddess Demeter. Persephone gains title as Queen of the Underworld and has to stay in the underworld during the off season and at the change of the seasons she leaves and goes back to land of the living to bring forth spring. Had she not eaten from the pomegranate fruit, the fruit of the underworld, she would have been freed from Hades
Demeter is the Greek Goddess of grain and agriculture. She is worshipped with her daughter, Persephone who represents the life force of the grain and disappears from the earth when the seed is put into the ground to die and be born again. Demeter is the daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea. She …show more content…
Cults such as these are known as mystery religions; only those who have been initiated into the mysteries benefit. Those who were in the cult were promised a privileged fate after death. They felt closer to the gods and that they would obtain blessing in the afterlife.
This myth shows us the grief of Persephone and Demeter, as it also shows us that the Persephone eventually comes to accept Hades. Persephone goes down into the underworld and comes back. The origin of worship at Eleusis is an explanation of worship to Demeter during her time of grief for Persephone. We also see the origin and the importance of the change of the seasons like today. Certain seasons are needed for seeds to grow and prosper. We see Zeus’ and Hades decisions about women and goddesses in an Athenian Society.
In conclusion the story of Demeter and Persephone is enlightening for the time that it happened in and gave birth to a cult, worship and sacrifice to the Great Goddess Demeter. Persephone gains title as Queen of the Underworld and has to stay in the underworld during the off season and at the change of the seasons she leaves and goes back to land of the living to bring forth spring. Had she not eaten from the pomegranate fruit, the fruit of the underworld, she would have been freed from Hades