Ceres and Proserpina

myminifactory

This is a marble sculpture depicting standing Ceres with seated Proserpina beside her. Famous mother and daughter from Olympus, Ceres and Proserpina were well-known figures. Proserpine had grown into a stunning young woman, captivating everyone with her smile. One day, while picking flowers in the fields, Pluto, her uncle and the god of the underworld, noticed her beauty. Normally a gloomy fellow, Pluto was immediately smitten by Proserpine's charm. He fell deeply in love at once. Before anyone could intervene, he swiftly kidnapped Proserpine and hurled his chariot down into the darkest depths of the underworld, taking Proserpine with him. Locked in a room in the Underworld, Proserpine cried uncontrollably and refused to speak to Pluto. She also refused to eat anything. According to legend, eating anything in the Underworld would seal her fate, making it impossible for her to ever leave. Proserpine didn't know if the legend was true, but she was determined not to risk it in case someone came to rescue her. Nearly a week had passed when Proserpine finally gave in to her hunger and ate six pomegranate seeds. It seemed that her fate was now sealed. She would have to live in the Underworld forever. Meanwhile, back on earth, Jupiter was worried about the crops failing. If that happened, who would worship him? He had to do something to prevent this disaster. Jupiter sent Mercury, his youngest son and messenger, to negotiate a deal with Pluto. Mercury knew he had a tough challenge ahead of him. His uncle Pluto, king of the underworld, was deeply in love and not easily swayed. This was no passing fancy; it was a genuine feeling. When Mercury heard that Proserpine had eaten six pomegranate seeds, he had to think quickly. The deal he made with Pluto was that if Proserpine would marry him, she would live as queen of the underworld for six months out of the year. However, each spring, Proserpine would return and live on earth for the other six months of the year. Pluto agreed, Jupiter agreed, Proserpine agreed, and finally, Ceres agreed. Each spring, Ceres ensures that all flowers bloom in welcome when her daughter, Queen of the Underworld, returns to her. Each fall, when Proserpine returns to Pluto, Ceres cries and lets all the crops die until spring when the cycle starts again. According to ancient lore, this is the reason for the seasons.