The tale of Persephone, her significance in Greek mythology and her importance to the history of Greece is a widely known myth commonly taught in classrooms across the world. Stories of this woman and her family are found in almost any book or website pertaining to Greek mythology that can be found. Strangely, there is not much information known about Persephone other than this well known version of her tale.

My recollection of the myth as it goes Persephone was daughter to the Greek god, Zeus and Demeter, Goddess of Vegetation. At a young age she was given, by her father to his brother, Hades, God of the Underworld. Being a young girl, both Persephone and her mother refused her leave which angered Hades causing him to come up from his world and steal Persephone. As sadness overtook mother and daughter, the green plains and gardens of the planet began to die and Zeus had no choice but to reason with his brother. If proof could be found that Persephone in no way wanted to live in this dreary world with Hades, Hades would let her leave. To Zeus' disappointment, in her time in the Underworld Persephone had broken her hunger strike and had eaten from the hand of Hades who considered this an act of appreciation. In the end, the brothers came to the agreement that Persephone could live half the year with Hades in the Underworld, and half the year with her family on earth. Hence, the turning of our seasons.

A straight to the point source explaining the birth of this historical myth surrounding Persephone and how she became know as the Goddess of the Underworld is detailed within a thesis essay on Persephone found at Fiction Press. The text states that,

"...Homer's version of the myth - the official version given by the Eleusinian mysteries - concentrates almost entirely on Demeter and her journey while searching for Persephone. Her anger is frequently commented on and, other than her brief interlude as nursemaid for the house of Keleos, her normal maternal nature is hardly mentioned. It appears that the search, rather than Persephone herself, and the deprivation of food from the land is the most important element of the story. Outside of her abduction, Persephone is given very little attention... Her role as a goddess of the underworld, outside of being married to one, is not referenced at all. Even with her mother at the beginning of the myth, she is not given a specific job or identity. To take this aspect of Kore, the maiden, further we could also say that she is placed among other maiden goddesses in the field. Despite Pallas (Athena) and Artemis being identified, both these goddesses were renowned for being forever virgins, highlighting Persephone's Kore persona as innocent, virginal and very little else..."

Source: Fiction Press

A deeper insight into the history and significance of Persephone can be located within the article, Persephone's sacred lake and the ancient female mystery religion in the womb of Sicily. It is a very interesting information article on an area thought significant to Demeter and Persephone.

The significance of Persephone in history and Greek mythology is ultimately her symbolic connection to the changing nature of our seasons as before she was banished to Hades' Underworld the planet experienced a perpetual summer. Without Persephone, we would not know winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Sources:

Persephone Thesis: Essay Component, http://www.fictionpress.com/s/ 2726319/1/Persephone_Thesis_Es say_Component

Persephone's sacred lake and the ancient female mystery religion in the womb of Sicily, http://www.accessmylibrary.com /article-1G1-138812320/perseph one-sacred-lake-and.html

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