Overview
This lecture explains the ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, illustrating its connection to agriculture and the origin of the seasons.
Demeter and Persephone
- Demeter is the Greek goddess of agriculture, responsible for Earth's harvests.
- Persephone is Demeter's daughter, who shares her mother’s love for nature and the harvest.
- Together, they care for the Earth’s fields, ensuring bountiful crops.
The Abduction of Persephone
- Hades, god of the underworld, falls in love with Persephone and kidnaps her while she is in a meadow.
- Cyane, a water nymph, witnesses the abduction and dissolves into a river out of grief.
- Zeus, Persephone’s father, had secretly agreed to give Persephone to Hades without her or Demeter’s consent.
Demeter's Grief and the Famine
- Demeter searches for Persephone, but the other gods refuse to help her.
- In her sorrow, Demeter neglects her duties, and crops wither, causing famine on Earth.
- The gods fear for their worship and order Demeter to resume her duties, but she refuses.
Persephone in the Underworld
- Hades tries to make Persephone his queen; she resists and refuses to eat.
- Eventually, Persephone eats a few seeds from a pomegranate in the underworld.
Resolution and the Seasons
- Helios reveals the truth about the abduction and Zeus' involvement to Demeter.
- Demeter confronts Zeus, but because Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds, she is bound to the underworld for part of the year.
- A pact is made: Persephone spends two-thirds of the year with Demeter (spring and summer), and the rest with Hades (fall and winter).
- Persephone's return marks spring and the growth of crops; her descent brings winter and dormancy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Demeter — Greek goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility.
- Persephone — Daughter of Demeter, associated with spring and queen of the underworld.
- Hades — God of the underworld and ruler of the dead.
- Pomegranate Seeds — Symbolic food that binds Persephone to the underworld.
- Helios — Sun god who witnesses the abduction.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the myth and be able to explain its connection to the seasons.
- Prepare to discuss the symbolism of the pomegranate and seasonal change in class.