The Return of Neptune by John Singleton Copley (ca. Finally, Demeter was the mother of Pluto (the personification of wealth) by her mortal lover Iasion. Demeter also coupled with Poseidon, the god of the sea, and gave birth to the immortal horse Arion. ![]() The most famous of her offspring was no doubt Persephone, born from her union with Zeus. Roman statue of Demeter (2nd century CE) British Museum, London / Orangeaurochs CC BY 2.0 Who were Demeter’s children?ĭemeter had relatively few consorts, and thus relatively few children. Other times, Demeter was depicted with her favorite animals, especially piglets and bullocks. In art and literature, Demeter was often shown alongside her daughter Persephone, or, occasionally, with other gods such as Poseidon. She was generally represented as a modestly robed woman wearing a headdress. 340 BCE) Altes Museum, Berlin / Bibi Saint-Pol Public Domain Key Factsĭemeter was easily recognized by her attributes of wheat (or corn), a torch, and sometimes a sickle. Her most important cult center was at Eleusis in Attica, though she had many sanctuaries throughout the Greek world.Īpulian red-figure hydria showing Demeter (right) with Metanira (left) by the Varrese Painter (ca. Rarely meddling in others’ affairs, Demeter was among the most beloved and least controversial of all Greek deities. Her most famous daughter was Persephone-the bride of Hades and the mistress of the Underworld. One of the children of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, Demeter was the sister of Zeus, Hestia, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon. She was also a goddess of women, family, law, and the Mysteries (secret religious rites). Demeter, Persephone, and the Eleusinian Mysteriesĭemeter was one of the Twelve Olympians and the goddess of fertility and agriculture.Honorthegods proudly signed and fully supports the Xenia Declaration.Īll who seek wisdom, praise virtue, and strive to be just are welcome here, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or thinking style.Ĭlick here for The Monster Compilation of Free Online Resources for Classical StudiesĪ compendium of information about the ancient Mediterranean world, including archaeology, art, culture, history, language, literature, magic, mythology, philosophy, religion. I am proud to announce that honorthegods has been vetted by the Valkyrie Squad as a safe space within the Pagan and Heathen community. There’s probably a few more you get the idea. I am utterly opposed to racism, identitarianism, nationalism, misogyny, misandry, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, ageism, antisemitism, and xenophobia. This blog focuses on modern Hellenic and Roman reconstructionist polytheisms and academic study of ancient Mediterranean religions, mythology, philosophy, archaeology, history, literature, and art. ![]() There is no denying that becoming the lover of a deity had life-changing consequences, for good or for ill, but through a liason with a god a mortal stood to gain a new importance in the world, remarkable children, and lasting fame after death. Lefkowicz makes a convincing argument that the deities put great thought into the choice of a human lover, and used persuasion rather than force, to win over the object of their affections. I recommend that everyone with an interest in the subject read: Seduction and Rape in Greek Myth and Predatory Goddesses, both by Mary Lefkowicz. Yes, it is apparent in the myths that gods and goddesses felt that the consent of the mortal was important, and worked to acheive it. Instead of focusing on what these stories mean in our time, perhaps we should be asking what the ancients thought they meant.Įvidence indicates that the ancient Greeks and Romans made a distinction between the rape of mortals by mortals, and the seduction of mortals by gods and goddesses. Somehow, I don’t think most of those who accuse the gods of rape realize that the goddesses also took human lovers. People say things like, “Zeus is a serial rapist”, and “The myths validate rape and the mistreatment of women”. People with a casual interest in Hellenic mythology, and many polytheists as well, frequently accuse the gods of rape. I read a lot of disparaging remarks directed at the Greek and Roman gods, especially Zeus, and not just here on Tumblr. ![]() Red-figure vase painting: The Goddess Eos pursuing Tithonus
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