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Article: Demeter
- Article from:
- Myths and Legends of the World
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Macmillan Reference, USA. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Demeter
Demeter, the Greek goddess of vegetation and fruitfulness, was known to the Romans as Ceres. She was the daughter of Cronus (Saturn)* and Rhea and the sister of Zeus*. Although Demeter was not one of the 12 gods of Olympus*, her origins can be traced back to very ancient times, perhaps to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Her name means "mother goddess" or "barley mother."
Demeter had a daughter by Zeus called Persephone*. The figures of Demeter and Persephone are closely related, and certain aspects of Persephone
—
for example, as a goddess of the
underworld
—
are also associated with Demeter in different versions of the same myth.
underworld
land of the dead
In one ...