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Home » Ancient History

Demeter Greek Goddess of Agriculture Facts

Published: Jul 17, 2018 · Modified: Nov 9, 2023 by Russell Yost · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Demeter was the Greek Goddess of Agriculture, the middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and one of the twelve original Olympians. Due to her grief over losing her daughter, Persephone, for a third of the year to Hades is the reason for winter, and the joy she has when her daughter returns is the cause of spring, summer, and the harvest. 

Demeter Greek Goddess
Jump to:
  • Demeter Greek Goddess: Persephone
  • Demeter Greek Goddess: Online Resources

Demeter Greek Goddess: Persephone

Demeter was the fourth wife of the promiscuous Zeus, and she bore him a daughter, Persephone, whom she loved very much.

Demeter's virgin daughter Persephone was abducted to the underworld by Hades. Demeter searched for her ceaselessly, preoccupied with her loss and her grief. The seasons halted; living things ceased their growth and then began to die. Faced with the extinction of all life on earth, Zeus sent his messenger Hermes to the underworld to bring Persephone back. Hades agreed to release her if she had eaten nothing while in his realm, but Persephone had eaten a small number of pomegranate seeds. This bound her to Hades and the underworld for certain months of every year, either the dry Mediterranean summer, when plant life is threatened by drought, or the autumn and winter.

While the timeframe does not necessarily correspond with the Greek winter season, it is more a representation of the plant that is buried underground for a time period and then springs up and grows new life.

Demeter Greek Goddess: Online Resources

  • Wikipedia - Greek Goddess of Agriculture
  • Greek Mythology - Story of Demeter
  • The History Junkie's Guide to the Ancient World
  • The History Junkie's List of Greek Gods and Goddesses
  • The History Junkie's Timeline of Ancient Greece

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