Foundations of World Literature

Demeter(Ceres)

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Who is she?

Demeter is the agriculture goddess.

Her parents were Saturn(Cronos) and Rhea(Ops). She was swallowed by her father at birth along with her brothers and sisters.. Later on, he threw her and her other siblings up.^[2]

She has many symbols. The most common ones are: cornucopia, sheaves of wheat, autumn harvest, torch, bread, honey, and acorns.^[3]

The myth that she played a major part in was "Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Bountiful Harvest."^[4]

Demeter's story

Demeter is the sister of Zeus(Jupiter) and the child of Saturn and Rhea. She is the goddess of agriculture and fertility. Demeter was one of Zeus's first "loves." With him, she bore a lovely baby girl named Persephone. Persephone's beauty caught Hades's eye. He insantly fell in love with her. She was picking flowers and Hades opened the Earth and abducted Persephone. Demeter left the heavens and transformed herself into an elderly woman. Demeter travelled all around the world to find her. Poseidon saw her and he fell in love with her. She tried to escape him by changing into a horse. Posiden was too smart and he transformed into a stallion. Posiden took advantage of her. Because of this, Demeter bore a horse named Areion. Demeter became very angry at Posiden and she was depressed that Persephone was still missing. An old, poor man offered Demeter to come rest at his house. He told her of his sickly son and she hurried to his house because she knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. Demeter kissed the boy's cheek and he returned back to full health. She was a very commpassionate goddess. From the Sun God, Helio, she found out what happened to her daughter and that Zeus helped Hades kidnap her. Demeter was already upset because of Posiden and what happened to Persephone, but this pushed her over the edge. Demeter hid in a cave all dressed in black. During this time, all of the plants and crops died. It became cold on Earth and the winter did not end. Zeus saw what was happening to Earth and he was concerned. He sent messangers to coax Demeter. She remained firm that she would not leave until Persephone was rescued. Zeus finally sent Hermes to command Hades to release her. As Persephone was leaving, Hades offered her a pomegranate. She took it willingly, but only ate the seeds. Because she ate the seeds, Persephone would have to return the the underworld, where she was queen, for four months each year. Demeter was not pleased, but she made due.^[5]

This myth explains the seasons. While Persephone is gone, Demeter is depressed; therefore, it becomes winter. When she returns, Demeter is happy and the crops grow again and it becomes spring/summer.

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