In Greek mythology, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and helped farmer’s crops to grow. Her daughter Persephone, was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, to be his wife. Demeter searched in vain for Persephone and her sadness caused crops to wither and fail. Ever more desperate to find her daughter, she asked her brother Zeus for help.
Zeus, king of the Olympic gods, made an agreement with Hades to allow Persephone to visit her mother each year for six months during Spring and Summer.
The crops thrived during this time as a result of Demeter’s joy in seeing her daughter and the four seasons were thus established.
Archaeology Study Unit 