Persephone
/pərˈsɛfəni/noun
In Greek mythology, the goddess of spring who becomes queen of the underworld after being abducted by Hades.
Did you know?The Eleusinian Mysteries centered on Persephone’s descent and return, but initiates were sworn to secrecy, so much of the ritual remains unknown.
Etymological Timeline
Mycenaean Greek, 2nd millennium BCE
Mycenaean Greek
𐀡𐀩𐀊𐀩𐀠?
“A highly uncertain possible precursor has been proposed in Linear B records; its reading and connection to Persephone remain disputed.”
8th–7th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Περσεφόνεια (Persephoneia)
“An early epic form of the goddess’s name, found in Homeric tradition.”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Περσεφόνη (Persephonē)
“The goddess associated with the underworld, seasonal renewal, and the Eleusinian Mysteries.”
4th–1st Century BCE
Greek
Φερρέφαττα (Pherrhephatta)
“A ritual and dialectal form of the name used in mystery-cult contexts.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Proserpina
“The Roman adaptation of Persephone, queen of the underworld and consort of Pluto.”
Modern English
English
Persephone
“The standard English form of the Greek mythological name.”
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