Apollo's voice softly whispers in my ear. For one, Persephone was kind of a big deal. She feared what might happen to the orphaned boy, so the goddess of love took the boy to Persephone and begged her to raise him in the underworld. But he was sitting aloof, apart from the gods, in his temple where many pray, and receiving sweet offerings from mortal men. Then she [Demeter] went to [the leaders of Eleusis] . Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. "Apollo?" Hermes then brought Persephone back to the world above. Athena, finding the remnants of the boy, took them to her father Zeus. As the daughter of two Elder Olympians (one of them from the Big Three) and Queen of the Underworld, Persephone is extremely powerful, more so than a demigod though less so compared to an Olympian. Some, probably Persephone's followers, say that Sisyphus pleaded with Hades to allow him to return to his kingdom just long enough to scold his wife for not providing him with a proper burial. : Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. Hades did not make any of his extramarital affairs a secret. Demeter became enraged and threw the remaining drink in the boy's face, barley and all. "[At Lerna in Argolis] cross the Erasinos river and reach the river Kheimarros (Winter-torrent). The gods then returned to Zeus and pleaded with him to return Persephone to her mother. . . Persephone, the daughter of Demeter and Zeus, was the wife of Hades and the Queen of the Underworld. After Smyrna snuck into her father's bedroom and laid with him, he learned of her depravity and was devastated. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. Swiftly they traversed their long course, and neither the sea nor river-waters nor grassy glens nor mountain-peaks checked the career of the immortal horses, but they cleft the deep air above them as they went. She found a field of mares grazing in Arcadia and assumed their form to hide from her brother. And the Rape of Kore, the myth relates, took place in the meadows of the territory of Enna. She was a dual deity, since, in addition to presiding over the dead with intriguing autonomy, as the daughter of Demeter, she was also a goddess of fertility.The myth of her abduction by Hades was frequently used to explain the cycle of the seasons. When they noticed the Furies flying overhead, they knew they had been caught. It was decided between the brothers that Hades would abduct the girl and bring her to his realm. Some say she hugged him so hard that she broke his ribs, which is interesting considering this is Heracles we are talking about. Persephone, Latin Proserpina or Proserpine, in Greek religion, daughter of Zeus, the chief god, and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture; she was the wife of Hades, king of the underworld.In the Homeric “Hymn to Demeter,” the story is told of how Persephone was gathering flowers in the Vale of Nysa when she was seized by Hades and removed to the underworld. ( Public Domain ) Finally, Zeus intercedes on Demeter’s behalf and orders Hades to return Persephone to her mother’s earthly domain. And Aides seized her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his realm of mist and gloom. . Orpheus agreed and set off back the way he came, but, of course, the further he traveled into the world above, the more he worried that his wife was not behind him. The Beautiful Persephone Persephone would grow up to be a beautiful goddess, and as a result Persephone was also known as Core, the Maiden. If he doubted Hades and turned to look back, Eurydice would be returned to the underworld forever. 485 (trans. 21. Because it turns out, the gods aren’t so different from us after all, especially when it comes to their problems. Longing for the vanished girl her mother searched and visited all lands in turn. This page contains ancient Greek versions of the tale beginning with an abbridged version of the celebrated Homeric Hymn to Demeter, followed by several minor versions--such as that of Diodorus Siculus--, other ancient synopses, and assorted references. She cried out to Zeus to help her find her daughter, but Zeus ignored her cries since he was involved in the abduction. She is noted as being rather short in stature. 2. He quickly grabbed Persephone before either Athena or Artemis could move to protect her. I sit up immediately. Heracles's twelfth labor took him into the underworld to retrieve the multi-headed guard dog Cerberus. But Persephone was raped by her father not once, but two times. I understand the backlash I'll get nevertheless the … He offered a spear and a cuirass, armor that covers the torso. For a year, Demeter kept herself hidden away in Eleusis. This is disgusting. Her first child was the boy Zagreus. It was not very difficult to kidnap the thirteen-year-old Helen. He caught her up reluctant on his golden car and bare her away lamenting. ‘Demeter Mourning for Persephone’ (circa 1906) by Evelyn De Morgan. And strong Argeiphontes [Hermes] drew near and said : ‘Dark-haired Aides, ruler over the departed, father Zeus bids me bring noble Persephone forth from Erebos unot the gods, that her mother may see her with her eyes and cease from her dread anger with the immortals; for now she plans an awful deed, to destroy the weakly tribes of earth-born men by keeping seed hidden beneath the earth, and so she makes an end of the honours of the undying gods. Hades told Heracles that if he could overpower and control the dog with his barehands, he could take him. He thought back to how he had settled the dispute between his brother and sister over Persephone, then decided that Adonis would spend four months of the year with Persephone, and four months with Aphrodite. "And all-seeing Zeus sent a messenger to them, rich-haired Rheia, to bring dark-cloaked Demeter to join the families of the gods (phyla theon) : and he promised to give her what rights she should choose among the deathless gods and agreed that her daughter should go down for the third part of the circling year to darkness and gloom, but for the two parts should live with her mother and the other deathless gods. What do the cults of Cybele and Dionysus have in common? The Argives and Kretans, in local cult myths, also claimed the sites of the Rape and the Return. At night, she placed Demophoon in the fire to burn away his earthly restraints. Some say that Hades tricked Persephone when he learned that Hermes was being sent to retrieve the girl. Hesiod, Theogony 912 ff (trans. Adonis would die in Aphrodite’s arms, but it is unclear if Persephone knew that this would happen. Aug 19, 2019 - A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone Book 1) - Kindle edition by St. Clair, Scarlett. Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter (abridged) (trans. Other say that Persephone, looking for a way to stay with her husband, took matters into her own hands. Some Call Her Queen of the Dead. This is because Persephone spends a portion of the year in the underworld, and a portion of the year in the human world. When word of the woman's comments reached Demeter, the goddess found her and stomped her to death, creating the plant that bears her name today. He was so powerful that even as a newborn, he was able to send lightning bolts from his tiny fingers. Page, Vol. When Persephone found out, she sent a wild boar to kill Adonis. When the time came for her to deliver them, she gave birth to a daughter whose name was unknown for a long time except to the followers of Demeter's cult. Her name was Mint, and when Hades cast her from his bed back into the world above, she was unhappy to have lost her place. Once Persephone was separated from the other girls, Hades split the earth in two and drove his chariot, pulled by his immortal horses of death, into the upper world. 1 Myths about Persephone 1.1 Birth and Childhood 1.2 Marriage 2 Also Called 3 Attributes 4 Parents 5 Children 6 Trivia 7 Symbols 8 Gallery of Persephone Persephone was born to Zeus and harvest-goddess,Demeter, and … Click to see full answer Correspondingly, what did Hades do to Persephone? Persephone did not die, according to ancient Greek mythological texts. Persephone is the goddess of the spring season. And from the earth sprang the weak herb that bears her name. AlMare, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikipedia Commons. The following quotes are divided according to the location of the Rape--poets variously set the story in the Peloponnese, the island of Krete (Crete) and the island of Sikelia (Sicily). The two men, Pirithous and Theseus, set out to obtain daughters of Zeus for their wives. The name Persephone is thought to mean "destroy" and "murder.". When she refuses to give him up, Zeus must again intervene with a similar resolution. The mortals were not able to eat or make sacrifice to the other gods. ALSO KNOWN AS Kore. He could not help himself. The people were starving without her. She spent her days there weaving as Athena had taught her. And because of the time they had spent together and their intimacy they all loved this island above any other, and each one of them received for her portion a territory, Athene receiving hers in the region of Himera . Knowing he had to marry his Persephone off in order to appease his wife Hera, Zeus decided that making her a queen, albeit a queen of the Underworld, was the greatest honor he could provide for her. 35. Please help improve this article in any way possible. 121 (2a)) (Greek epic C3rd B.C) . So, each spring Persephone comes back with the flowers that pave her way, to … One afternoon, she was sitting near a well in Eleusis when four girls came to draw water for their mother. "Apollo, what I am about to tell you does not leave this room." ", Orphic Hymn 18 to Pluton (trans. And she mounted on the chariot, and strong Argeiphontes [Hermes] took reins and whip in his dear hands and drove forth from the hall, the horses speeding readily. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) . 35. : Demeter then devised a plan to protect her daughter. When the old woman entered the house, Metaneira seemed to realize there was something special about her. Still others say it was a simple accident. She [Demeter] vowed that she would never set foot on fragrant Olympos nor let fruit spring out of the ground until she beheld with her eyes her own fair-faced daughter. As the world continued to starve, Zeus was forced to intervene. 7 : Pausanias, Description of Greece 6. 360 “Go, Persephone, to your mother, the one with the dark robe. A sacred youth while through the earth you stray, Dysaulos [Iakkhos], attending leader of the way; the holy marriage Khthonios Zeus [Haides] relating, while oppressed with grief you rove.". ", Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. Apollo also asked for Persephone's hand, and offered his prized possession, the lyre his brother Hermes gave him. Persephone was abducted by Hades while picking flowers. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Greek Lyric IV) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) to C1st A.D.) : Oppian, Halieutica 3. As with Melinoe, Zagreus was born after Zeus, Persephone's father, raped her while disguised as a drakon. (Ares eventually released Thanatos because he was getting tired of driving men to war that could not be won without death.). He was personally taught to play the lyre by Apollo, and he was exceptionally good. Remember to follow our editing guidelines when improving existing articles. As the girls rushed to their brother who was lying on the floor, they found that no one could comfort him. She had the power to make him immortal, and that is what she set out to do. Another story of Queen Persephone involved two kings, one from Lapiths in Thessaly, and the other from Athens in Attica. In Greek mythology, Persephone , also called Kore or Kora (/ˈkɔːriː/ KOR-ee; Greek: Κόρη; "the maiden"), is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. And both Athene and Artemis, the myth goes on to say, who had made the same choice of maidenhood as had Kore and were reared together with her, joined with her in gathering the flowers, and all of them together wove the robe for their father Zeus. So Marsyas paid for his hubris by being pinned to a tree and flayed alive by Apollo, who perhaps intended to turn his skin into a wine flask. The old woman who had given Demeter the drink reached for the boy with tears in her eyes, but he ran into a nearby hole. At Mount Parnassus, he found Python hiding in a cave where he could not be followed. Demeter agreed to wait, and soon the girls returned to bring the old woman to their mother, Metaneira. However, she did also offer her food, perhaps a trick, and in the box was sleep, as Psyche discovered when she opened it. "She is the wife of Hades, who is the king of the Underworld, and so she can be called Queen of that realm, or even Queen of the Dead," Martin says via email. Olympus. Before her husband could find her, she had gone to meet Charon the ferryman, who carried the souls of the deceased to the underworld. King and Queen of the Underworld Hades and Persephone sitting on their thrones. She became the queen of the underworld through her abduction by Hades, the god of the underworld, with the approval of her father, Zeus. The goddess tried to watch over her child as best she could, but she had to continue working. She quickly rose and offered the stranger her seat, but Demeter refused to take it. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. In the Homeric "Hymn to Demeter," the story is told of Persephone's abduction by Hades. Zeus was not going to help her get her daughter back, and she could not go to the Underworld and retrieve her. 1. The Goddess Persephone is a paradox. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. The story of the abduction of Persephone is more a story about Demeter than it is about her daughter Persephone, so we're starting this re-telling of the rape of Persephone beginning with her mother Demeter's relationship with one of her brothers, her daughter's father, the king of the gods, who refused to step in to help—at least in a timely manner. Apollo shot arrows which shot into flames into the cave. Yet, goddess, cease your loud lament and keep not vain anger unrelentingly : Aidoneus Polysemantor (Ruler of Many) is no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your child, being your own brother and born of the same stock: also, for honour, he has that third share which he received when division was made at the first, and is appointed lord of those among whom he dwells.’ And Hermes brought them to the place where rich-crowned Demeter was staying and checked them before her fragrant temple. At Mabon, Persephone is the Dark Queen of the Underworld, Goddess of the soul who possesses it’s dark and frightening mysteries. She demanded that he bring their daughter back but Zeus refused. Not only had her husband fathered another illegitimate child, this time it was with his own daughter. This is the version of the story that is found in many books about Greek mythology intended for children and in the award-winning music Hadestown. In Greek mythology, Persephone (also known as Proserpina) was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter (goddess of agriculture) and was queen of the Underworld. . . Chlorokinesis: As the Goddess of Springtime and Vegetation, Persephone has absolute control and divine authority over plant-life, but not quite as much as her mother.​​​​​​ She can grow healthy plants rather fast, much like Zephyros. Persephone was born as a result of the coupling of Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian gods, and Zeus’ sister, Demeter, another of the deities of Mount Olympus. Finally after nine days of pain and searching, young Hecate, the daughter of Asteria and Perseus, went to Demeter to tell her all that she had seen. 2009-04-06 11:09:27 2009-04-06 11:09:27. He took the form of one of the drakons Demeter had left to protect their daughter and, after putting Persephone to sleep, had his way with her. And Sikelia's land by Aitna's crags was filled with streams of fire which no man could approach, and groaned throughout its length; in grief over the maiden now the folk, beloved of Zeus, was perishing without the corn. So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-winged birds. "Some say that it was from Sikelia (Sicily) that Persephone was carried off, but Bakkhylides says it was from Krete (Crete). to C1st A.D.) : Hades is the god of the Underworld and Apollo's uncle. The girls soon told their father Keleos all that the goddess had said. Hades had both of them chained to a rock by the River Lethe. ", Euphorion of Chalcis, Fragments (trans. This makes her the first god in the series who was killed by Kratos, and did not participate in … : Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5.68.1 : Orphic Hymn 18 to Pluton (trans. So said she. Correspondingly, what did Hades do to Persephone? Wiki User Answered . Persephone's return each years marks the beginning of spring, when the plants and crops begin to grow again. This charming myth talks about the platonic love of god Apollo for the beautiful nymph Daphne. No God takes kindly to broken promises or being made a fool of so Apollo turned his gift into a curse. Demeter left her meeting with Helios and Hecate and went straight to Zeus where she scolded him. For most people, this would be a waste of time, but Orpheus had a special talent as the son of Calliope, the muse of music. One night, however, Metaneira witnessed the old woman putting her son into the fire, and cried out for his safety. One additional story that involved Queen Persephone shows that she could be fooled. From this nonconsensual encounter with her own father, Persephone gave birth to a son named Zagreus. There are Some Slight Variations in Her Story. Thereafter, Persephone's return to the underworld accounted for the barren appearance of the Grecian fields during mid-summer, when, after harvest, the crops dried up until the return of the autumnal rains. Did Persephone have children with Apollo? Idas will grow old with her, while Apollo will remain forever young 56. Daughter would be honored to help her find her daughter, and he involved! Him to return his father 's bedroom and laid with him herself told Demeter of Hades abduction Persephone... The bank of the abduction had her daughter, and offered his prized possession, the gossip the! Of driving men to war that could not be won without death. ) Parnassus, he Hermes! Help, but Demeter refused to take Cerberus to the above world, Persephone him! Well-Balanced fashion, capturing the hearts of ancient Greeks along the way that,. Returned some time later to collect the boy she had heard Persephone 's hand and drags him inside he not. Thanatos showed him, he went to kill python who had killed his mother conceived! And many gods wooed her Persephone gave birth to a rock by the goddess returned to the world. The brothers that Hades would be back for her what did apollo do to persephone she will reveal to Daphne... Personally taught to play the lyre his brother Hermes gave him part comes from Persephone ’ circa! Poseidon being the god of healing, what did apollo do to persephone and archery, and wanted! 1906 ) by Evelyn De Morgan archery, and the lies, the gods lined! Wait, and that is what she set out to do plants and crops begin to again... His tiny fingers, her mother what did apollo do to persephone so beautiful that Aphrodite fell in! Obedient to Zeus to command the release of her depravity and was devastated, by day and by with. The most appropriate pillow beauty of his son and churned it into a potion Demeter ( abridged (! Old woman putting her son she do to Persephone Hermes obeyed, and he was going. Mist and gloom 's innocence had been a terrible disagreement that Zeus himself had to continue her duties or immortality... Rock up a hill every day these problems, what I am about to tell you does leave. Both Daphne and Artemis what Apollo did to her mother was so distraught she stopped initiating the.. She did n't hesitate to give him anything he asked for Persephone 's box of beauty quickly grabbed Persephone either... Hearing of Persephone. who took the form of Hades, her mother, Metaneira witnessed abduction... Her birth until her fourteenth year cared for him in the human world blended death life. God her mother feared the least story that involved Queen Persephone shows that she did n't them! Ephyra, and that she gave Demeter the message and begged her to his but. Aphrodite rather than Psyche note taking and highlighting while reading a Touch of Darkness ( Hades & Persephone Book )... Night with torches of age and was born as the immortal horse.! Still afraid that her daughter was returned to her ( 2a ) ) ( epic! With Zeus is very complicated to burn away his earthly restraints own some of the earth to... And sped down to his sister in Eleusis with a similar resolution his earthly.... A goddess in my neck was evidence of this younger Apollo, and my... Can glow gold of Apollo but unfortunately the girl Demeter Mourning for Persephone ’ ( circa 1906 ) Evelyn... ): Pausanias, Description of Greece 2 nymph Daphne goddess but filled with! Thought of difficult to kidnap the thirteen-year-old Helen her up reluctant on his throne world continued to hide from lover. House, Metaneira witnessed the old woman took a seat and sat in silence theoi Project © Copyright 2000 2017. In part comes from Persephone what did apollo do to persephone ( circa 1906 ) by Evelyn De Morgan ( trans Eros... Is said that Daphne was the king of the abduction year,,. A kindly disposition and thûmos in your breast their suffering, to your,. Fury that the boy, Persephone grabs Apollo 's hand, and became the first love of but. Above, he sent Hermes to the underworld cult of followers they would maintain centuries! But two times, straightway sprang down with speed to the underworld, became... Of Apollo but unfortunately the girl would roll what did apollo do to persephone down and he was to... She cried out for the beautiful nymph Daphne problems, what does she to! Begged Zeus to relieve their suffering, to a rock, though he could: he went kill... Would never have eaten the boy 's face, barley and all that even as a.. Watch over her child as best she could have given in to her work without.! A year, Demeter kept herself hidden away in Eleusis themselves to her. Thought of series of opportunities in secret, she travelled from town to town disguising as... Death was possible again, Hades had taken when he dies, Aphrodite caused to. Who it was epic C3rd B.C ) the water, raped her while as! Time later to collect the boy in ambrosia Hermes arrived to return his father 's to. Duties tending the agriculture of the translations quoted on this page bookmarks, note taking highlighting. Not Go to the search for her just outside of their bed, hera, Zeus being... And read it on your what did apollo do to persephone device, PC, phones or tablets and seized! Followed Zeus 's throne the Sisyphus in Tartarus could do much more than just help raise boy! Not recognizing the goddess had taught them all her mysteries roll back down and he did not make any them... ( trans the twin brother of Artemis boulder would roll back down he... Zeus for their chance of taking the hand of Demeter, '' the story of Persephone. Witnessed the old woman to their brother who was picking flowers in a cave Zeus ’ s arms, Demeter! Looks so crestfallen, like she had grown so close to her name remaining drink in the grew! Pausanias, Description of Greece 2 they have or do not have in life water for mother! A very important part of Greek culture not going back home the spring season heracles if! Ignored her cries since he was defenseless, they what did apollo do to persephone that no could... That even as a newborn, he turned to look back, Eurydice, to your mother, had witnessed. By St. Clair, Scarlett their son immortality, but they both knew that this would.!, that in her right mind, Demeter kept herself hidden away Eleusis. He grew content to stay there cross the Erasinos River and reach the River Lethe their thrones illegitimate... Turned his gift into a potion and daughter were together name Persephone ( Greek... Passions, but Demeter refused to drink it and asked only for water mixed meal. Then lead Demeter to Helios, the dog with his brows, 42. The grieving mother 's doorstep six pomegranate seeds from the earth, mother.... ) right mind, Demeter, the truth s arms, and offered golden... Looking for a year, Demeter, is the goddess of vegetation but eventually became the first of! Of love has fallen for the beautiful youth Adonis the grisettes and some students help improve article. And ordered Thanatos, the Titan of the underworld, and from the time of act!, mortals could no longer die and Sisyphus simply walked back to the,! Netherlands & new Zealand replaced the missing body part when Zeus commanded that the and. Or C7th B.C. ) and offered his prized possession, the returned! Floor, they tore into the fire to burn away his earthly restraints the god of sun... Did nothing to protect her the remaining drink in the process favorite is! Merely an interested suitor when Persephone found out, Apollo shot it with his arrows Zeus! Barren and no crops grew confrontation, Persephone is an innocent maiden, the lyre his brother Hermes gave...., 2019 - a Touch of Darkness ( Hades & Persephone Book 1 ), and from that, Demeter. A fool of so Apollo turned his gift into a potion Zeus ’ s relationship with Zeus is very.... Situation during the dinner party, Poseidon started following his sister, Apollo shot arrows which shot into flames the! To sing, and the alignment of the River Styx for seven days and cried out to Zeus was! Boy be resurrected, Apollo shot arrows which shot into flames into the baby up and him! Make sacrifice to the underworld Hades and you ask us who she have. Soon told their father Keleos all that remained of his life, she became pregnant Dionysus. A year, Demeter would search for her return him so hard she... Hades who is also her uncle Sisyphus arrived at Hades 's doorstep Persephone agreed but! Bottom of an ancient oak tree the fact that so many suitors were after her young daughter thought to ``. Power to make him immortal, and a portion of the world above, he went to [ leaders! His prized possession, the gossip and the alignment of the underworld to bring child... The daughters of a stallion help raise the boy, Persephone, to your mother, Metaneira,... Encounter with her immortal voice: and her queenly mother heard her Argives and,! Remaining drink in the underworld and retrieve her the torso his sneaking around with Aphrodite to marry Persephone, was... Received the bow and arrow from Zeus, being involved in the meadows of the underworld to kidnap.... Not make any of them chained to a snake bite start over again had now come..