Demeter & Persephone

Demeter and Persephone: At the heart of the Eleusinian mysteries

Triptolemus receiving wheat sheaves from Demeter and blessings from Persephone, Great Eleusinian Relief, 5th-century BC relief, National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The abduction of Persephone

Dated from the Early Roman Empire, it depicts the abduction of Persephone, or Kore, by Hades, god of the underworld (Proserpina and Pluto in Rome). Hermes, the messenger of the gods, shows the way while Athena, who is armed, and one of the captive’s companions, try to stop the chariot. At the The Chiragan Villa, Musée, Saint-Raymond
Toulouse Archaeology Museum

Demeter and Kore (Persephone)

Marble relief, 500-475 BC. Archaeological Museum of Eleusis.

Persephone, Demeter, & Pluto Marble Plaque, Tegea

A marble plaque from Tegea depicting Pluto, Demeter and Persephone with worshippers. 4th-3rd century BCE. National Archaeological Musem, Athens.

Relief of Demeter and Persephone

Part of a marble relief of Demeter and Persephone from the Athenian
Acropolis. Late 5th century BC.

Persephone and Hades

Pinax with Persephone and Hades Enthroned, Greek,
c. 500-450 BCE. Source: Cleveland Museum of Art

Terracotta plaque relief of Demeter in profile wearing ears of corn, 1st century BC–AD, Archaeological Museum of Amorgos, Greece.

The Eternal mother and daughter drama

Terracotta group of two seated women, Demeter and her daughter Persephone. Made at Myrina, north-west Asia-Minor, circa 180 BCE. Said to be from Asia-Minor. (The British Museum, London)

Pinax with Persephone and Hades Enthroned

500-450 BC, Greek, Locri Epizephirii, Mannella district, Sanctuary of Persephone, terracotta - Exhibit in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland

The archetypal und archaic Anatolian goddess, Cybele, was revered not only throughout Anatolia but also on the neighboring (modern day) Greek islands.

Evidence of her cult can still be seen today in the cave formations and niches carved into hillsides. Her great gift to humanity is the mystery of rebirth.

Many of these caves symbolize the birth canal and end in womb-like forms. On the island of Samos, for example, one enters the caves as if stepping back into the darkness of the womb—not of a biological mother and father, but of the Great Goddess of eternity.

During our journey through Anatolia, we will visit many such places—caves and rock niches where Cybele was likely venerated long before the appearance and unveiling of the many goddesses who later emerged in human consciousness, in our hearts and in our souls.