Realm: goddess of the grain and harvest, agriculture

Symbols: Sickle, grain, sheaths of grain, Persephone, horn of plenty, corn, rake, poppies

Demeter and PersephoneDemeter, the goddess of the corn, was

grief-stricken when her daughter Persephone was abducted by the god of the underworld. While she mourned for her daughter, she let all of the vegetation die. Zeus was forced to intercede. He sent Hermes down to the underworld to ask Hades to release Persephone, but before Hades let her go, he tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, thus forcing her to spend 4 months of the year in the world of the dead. During this sorrowful time, Demeter made the earth wintry and leafless.

Dionysus or Bacchus(bacchanal)Realm/Domain: god of wine, the vines.

Symbols: grapes, grape leaves, cup of wine, ivy leaves

Dionysus, the god of wineZeus’ son, Dionysus, god of wine, could

be kind or cruel. He rescued his mother , a mortal, from the underworld and took her to live on Mt. Olympus. But his cruel side surfaced when he went to Thebes accompanied by the Maenads, women frenzied with wine. When Pentheus imprisoned him, the mad women-including Pentheus’ own mother and sisters made crazy by Dionysus-tore Pentheus limb from limb.

Demeter and Dionysus questions1. Why are Demeter and Dionysus

considered the givers of the good gifts of earth? What are their gifts?

The simplest gifts of the land, the two things present at every meal and given to every guest, were bread and wine.

2. Explain the position of Demeter and Dionysus as suffering gods. Why does this bring them closer to humanity?

Unlike the twelve great gods who seemed above it all Dionysus and Demeter could relate to the sorrows of mortals.

3. Discuss how the Persephone myth-a myth to explain the seasons of growth—is symbolic.

Persephone’s kidnapping by Hades resulted in Demeter’s loss of interest in keeping the earth fertile. Thus, winter came about. Persephone’s return to her mother for part of the year caused Demeter to rejoice, resulting in spring.

4. Explain the dual role of Dionysus as the god of joy and the god of savagery. Explain also how Dionysus became a symbol of resurrection.

The drunken Bacchantes symbolized the savagery of Dionysus while the beneficent side of the god was seen in the merrymaking, the feeling of power, the happy freedom of becoming like a god. Each year the vines were pruned or cut back; they seemed to die. But each year there was a joyful resurrection in the rebirth of the vines as they again grew and became fruitful.

5. What is the connection between Dionysus and the development of Greek theater?

The festival of Dionysus was held in the spring and everyone took part. Ceremonies in honor of the god developed into performances of plays.