The goddess Persephone, known by different names and different traits, has as much diversity to her personality as the seasons do to each other. As her tale begins, she is known for her childlike attitude, her pleasant, unfearing nature. This is when the Greeks had called her Kore, (Morford, Lenardon and Sham, 183) meaning girl. A simple name, a simple stature. The daughter of Zeus and Demeter, seemed to have someone mindful of her always, a father to watch above and a mother who watched her roam the earth, Kore, girl, what could fit better. However, now she is known as Persephone, a name that seems to claim more power and respect. The origin of Persephone’s name, is considered to have its roots from the Greek word of pertho that translates to ‘the destroyer’ (www.behindthename.com/name/Persephone). After being taken away to the underworld by Hades she earns a new domain. Now she, no longer responsible for the harvest as was her mother, guards the gates back to life, Queen of the Underworld. Like the spring changes to winter, so too does Kore change to Persephone.
She has become the Queen of the dead, ruler of those who pass through, known by
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They celebrated both her return to our world and her descent into the underworld. Libera was considered Persephone’s city, however the Eleusinian’s had the most evidence of ceremonies’ held in her honor. Eleusis was thought to be Demeter’s city, but would celebrate twice a year in honor of Persephone and her decent to the underworld and return to our world. The first festival would take place during the spring and was called the festival of Kore. The second took place during the end of fall, when they would prepare for the drought caused by Persephone’s return to the underworld (Grant, 131-133). Ultimately, she was revered for both life and death, beginnings and the temporary