HOMERIC HYMN TO DEMETER

PERSEPHONE'S ABDUCTION

Description of how Persephone(Goddess of Spring Grain) was abducted by Hades(God of the Underworld).

Zeus (God of Thunder, Ruler of all Gods, and Persephone's father) allowed Hades(Zeus' brother) to marry Persephone.

Demeter(Goddess of Agriculture and Ripe Grain, Persephone's mother) was not aware of Zeus' agreement with Hades.

DEMETER'S 'WITCHANTICS'

Demeter senses Persephone is in trouble and none of the Gods will tell her the truth.

Demeter for nine days was "holding torches ablaze in her hands", fasting, and not showering.

Evidence suggests Demeter was in the initiation process to join a cult.

'HELICOPTER-MOM' INVESTIGATION

Demeter speaks with Hekate(Goddess of Witchcraft) for information. Demeter and Hekate approach Helios(Sun God) so that he can tell Demeter the truth about Persephone's whereabouts.

Helios explains what happened and notes that Hades is 'not that bad' of a husband.

After Demeter discovers the truth, her anger and sadness move her away from Olympus to dwell with the mortals on Earth. She hides her beauty by disguising as an old hag.

GODDESS OF LIES

Demeter grieves by the Maiden's Well in the town of Eleusis. The daughters of Keleos, find Demeter by the Well and ask how she came to be.

Demeter lies about her life and asks of Keleo's daughter if she can help them or work for them in any way.

Metaneira hires “Doso” (Demeter's fake name) as a nurse.

DEMETER'S HAPPINESS SHOWS

Demeter reconciles with Persephone.

Hekate becomes Persephone's godmother.

Demeter restores fertility.

HADES' PLAY ON JUDAS

Demeter mopes in her newly built temple as she misses her daughter Persephone.

Demeter makes the lands of Eleusis infertile; Thus, affecting the crop and wealth of the people.

Zeus compromises for Demeter to see Persephone. Zeus sends Hermes(Messenger of the Gods) a message to Hades.

Hades makes Persephone eat a pomegranate seed.

Because Persephone ate a pomegranate seed, one-third of the year she will reside with Hades while the other two-thirds of the year she will be with Demeter.

METANEIRA THE FOOL

Demeter starts to make the child ,Demophoon, into a God.

Metaneira suspects Demeter is doing something to the baby and spies on her.

Metaneira is playing with fire because the Greeks considered hospitality seriously. Thus, suspecting a house guest, Demeter, of wrongdoing can be considered sinful.

Demeter claims Metaneira is "foolish" from stopping the child becoming a God.

Out of anger, Demeter demands the town of Eleusis to build a great temple and rites for her.