persephone she is the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology. She is also considered the goddess of agriculture, seasons, flowers, fruits, herbs and fertility. In Roman mythology she is called Proserpine.
Persephone Representation
Persephone was a very beautiful woman who attracted the attention of many gods. Thus, her most common representation is of a young woman wearing a dress and she is often shown holding a pomegranate, the forbidden fruit she ate in the underworld.
There, she learned how to rule the world from her husband Hades and even learned many of her mysteries. In this way, the goddess became the guardian of the underworld.
History
Daughter of Zeus, the lord of gods and men, and Demeter, goddess of harvest and fertility, Persephone was born and raised on Mount Olympus.
As she was so beautiful, Persephone caught the attention of many gods. Virgin and protected by her mother, she was kidnapped by her uncle and god of the underworld Hades, while she picked daffodils.
From that moment on, food and fields were affected by the sadness of Demeter, goddess responsible for agriculture. Afraid of the consequences this might entail, the gods soon intervened to find their daughter.
Upon revealing where Persephone was, Demeter went to ask Zeus for help. However, Hades did not allow Persephone to return. The god of the underworld deceived the goddess and made her eat the fruit that would seal the marriage: the pomegranate. And as a result of that act, she would stay with him for a third of the year.
Thus, during the fall, spring and summer months she would return to Earth and be with her mother. In the winter months, in turn, she would be in the underworld, alongside Hades.
This myth was often used to explain changes in the seasons of the year. So when Persephone was at her mother's side, the fields bloomed. On the other hand, in winter, the soil was infertile and the lack of food affected the population. It reflected her mother's sadness when she wasn't by her side.
Persephone and Hades
The myth of Persephone and Hades is one of the most emblematic in Greek mythology. Many artists portrayed this story on canvas and sculpture. Check out some examples below:
The Abduction of Proserpina by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Galleria Borghese, Rome
The Abduction of Proserpina by Luca Giordano at Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence
Statues of Persephone and Hades at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete
Read too:
- What is a myth?
- Greek mythology
- greek goddesses
- Greek gods
- Gods of Olympus
