Demeter is best known in connection with her daughter Persephone. Persephone, Demeter's daughter by Zeus, was abducted by Hades, but for a long time no one knew where Persephone had gone. While Persephone was missing, her mother Demeter mourned. Mankind suffered. Eventually the gods intervened and arranged with Hades to return Persephone. Unfortunately, Persephone had eaten while in Hades' domain and so was not free to live above ground all year long. Instead, she had to return to Hades every year (winter). Persephone is sometimes associated with the Great Mother (Rhea or Cybele). In Rome Demeter is worshiped as Ceres. The Thesmophoria is a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Demeter. The Eleusinian mysteries celebrate both Persephone and Demeter and the story of the abduction of Persephone by Hades.
Pronunciation:
di-'mE-t&r • (noun)
Also Known As:
Ceres (Roman)
Related Resources:
Thesmophoria Elsewhere on the Web:
Aristophanes - Thesmophoriazusae
Definition:
In Greek mythology, Demeter was a daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Demeter is usually excluded from the list of Olympians because she chose to live on earth where she served as goddess of agriculture.
Related Terms
• Persephone
• Hades
• Zeus
• Poseidon
• Thesmophoria
Harvest festival in honor of Demeter.
Comedy by Aristophanes about the Thesmophoria festival for Demeter.
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Demeter
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