But these are folk etymologies that lack credibility. Other ancient etymologies connected Persephone’s name with aphenos (“wealth”), phonos (“death”), and phōs (“light”). Plato, for example, interpreted the name as “she who touches things that are in motion” ( epaphē tou pheromenou), a reference to Persephone’s wisdom (to touch things that are in motion implies an understanding of the cosmos, which is constantly in motion).

Persephone was often worshipped alongside her mother, Demeter-for example, in the Eleusinian Mysteries.Īncient authors sometimes sought creative etymologies for the name “Persephone” (Greek Περσεφόνη, translit. She was also associated with spring, girlhood, and marriage. Thus, although Persephone was allowed to spend part of the year on Olympus with her mother, she was forced to spend the other part of the year in the Underworld as Hades’ bride.Īs the wife of Hades, Persephone was the queen of the Underworld. But Hades had tricked Persephone into eating something-a handful of pomegranate seeds-while she was in the Underworld. When Demeter at last located Persephone in the Underworld, she demanded that her daughter be returned. Demeter, distraught, wandered the entire world in search of her daughter. Her mythology tells of how she was abducted by her uncle Hades one day while picking flowers. Persephone, often known simply as Kore (“Maiden”), was a daughter of Zeus and Demeter.

Other Worship: Orphism and Curse Tablets.

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