The Conversation

Explainer: the story of Demeter and Persephone

Author: Chris Mackie, Professor of Classics, La Trobe University

Heintz Joseph the Elder, The Rape of Persephone, circa 1595.Wikimedia Commons

The student of Greek mythology is often struck by the fact that some gods and goddesses have extensive roles in the mythical narratives, and others have very limited parts to play. The goddess Demeter is an interesting case of this. As an Olympian goddess and fertility...

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