The Greek Myth of Winter

 

 

The Greek Myth of Winter

 

 

 

 

Demeter and Kore

 

 

 

In modern times, science has explained the causes of storms, flood, earthquakes, and disease, but ancient people were puzzled and awed by these mysterious events. Perhaps to gain a sense a control, they created tales about the world around them.

 

Since humans are chauvinistic, it was natural for the ancients to assume that the forces driving nature were just like themselves. Stories were told of gods who ate, loved, and hated just as we do, but on a larger scale. Because these gods had gargantuan powers, their smallest wish could mean disaster or good fortune for all the world. A misanthropic god might send deadly storms; a philanthropic one might share the secrets of fire and food.

 

 

 

 

Hades and Persephone

ca 460-450 BC

 

 

 

One ancient Greek tale of humanlike gods deals with the genesis of winter. According to the ancient Greeks, the world was once a warm, green paradise where the goddess Demeter provided summer throughout the year. But one day, Persephone, Demeter’s beautiful and vivacious daughter, wandered away from her friends to explore a flowered field. Unfortunately, Hades, the god of the underworld, was visiting the world and enjoying a panoramic view of the very same place. With one look a Persephone, Hades fell in love. Unable to control himself, he carried her off to the underworld and made her his bride.

 

 

 

 

 

Athena, Herakles, Cerberus, Hades, Persephone in Underworld

Leagros Group, 520 BC

 

 

 

Pandemonium broke out when word of Hades’ crime reached the other gods. Demeter frantically tried to get her daughter back, begging Zeus, king of the gods, to order her return. But although Zeus was renowned for his power, Hades, a maverick among the gods, refused to return Persephone.

 

In her desperation, Demeter forgot to provide the world with the warmth and sunshine vital to growing crops, and the earth plunged into winter. Plants began to die one by one, and when no crops were left, humans faced starvation. Through her grief, Demeter was causing the death of the human race. Zeus appealed to Hades, who finally agreed to let Persephone return home, as long as she had not eaten anything.

 

 

 

 

 

Hades and Persephone

Locri, votive relief, ca 480 BC

 

 

 

When had Persephone been doing while Demeter was trying to release her? Sitting unhappily in the underworld, she had led a spartan existence, refusing all the luxuries that Hades offered. She had eaten no food—except for seven pomegranate seeds. Alas! Persephone had eaten only a nominal amount, but she had eaten. Hades did not have to let her go.

 

Zeus and Demeter quickly thought of a viable arrangement. For nine months of the year, Persephone would live with her mother, and for three months she would live with Hades. Just as Persephone’s life was divided, Demeter decreed that for nine months the earth would have warm weather, and for three months it would have winter.

 

And that is how according to the ancient Greeks, winter began.

 

 

 

 

 

The World of Words

Fifth Edition

by Margaret Richek

     Northeastern Illinois University

Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Persephone is depicted sitting upon a throne as Queen of the Underworld

 

 

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Persephone is the Queen of the Underworld and the daughter of Demeter. She is also known as Proserpine (Roman), and Kore, which is also transliterated as Core or Cora and translated as the Maid or the Maiden. Her attributes in iconography can include a torch, a crown, a sceptre, and stalks of grain.

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http://web.uvic.ca/grs/bowman/myth/gods/persephone_i.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suites for 6 Cello Solo,No.2 IN D Minor, BWV 1008
Johan Sebastian Bach(1675-1750)
Cello--Maurice Gendron