Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the wife of Hades, and the queen of the Underworld. Her most important myth tells of how Hades abducted her, then tricked her into eating something in the Underworld so that she could never leave. Not even her mother, Demeter, could bring her home.
Demeter was a Greek Olympian goddess who reigned over crops, harvests, family, and fertility. She was closely connected with her daughter Persephone.
TO DEMETER (1–4) I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess, of her and of her daughter lovely Persephone. Hail, goddess! Keep this city safe, and govern my song.
Houston Chronicle: Essay: The story of Demeter and Persephone taught me the true work of motherhood
When I was young, my mother used to tell me the ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone at bedtime. Now that I am a mother myself, the story has come to haunt me in more ways than one — informing ...
Essay: The story of Demeter and Persephone taught me the true work of motherhood
Modesto Bee: Ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone taught me the true work of motherhood
Ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone taught me the true work of motherhood
Yahoo News UK: So what is the actual myth of Hades and Persephone?
II. TO DEMETER (1–3) I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess—of her and her trim-ankled daughter whom Aidoneus rapt away, given to him by all-seeing Zeus the loud-thunderer. (4–18) Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits, she was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Oceanus and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and ...