Greek Goddess of the Dead, Rebirth and Flowers
aka Kore, Persephassa, Pherrephatta (Attica), Proserpina (Roman)
Cult center was in Eleusis (temple to Demeter, her mother) and Syracuse (to Persephone)
pronounced - Per-seph-o-ne
The story goes that Persephone went out to pick flowers. While she was out, Hades came up from the underworld because he fell in love with her and wanted her for his bride. Demeter searches all over the world, and discovers her daughter has been taken to the Kingdom of Hades. Hermes offers to bring Persephone back. However, when he gets there, he is told by Hades that Persephone has eaten pomegranate seeds. Hermes and Persephone are both told that she must forever spend the same amount of months in the Underworld reigning as Hades' queen, for each seed she ate (accounts vary to the number of seeds). Hecate volunteered to go with her to act as her handmaiden. While Persephone is above ground, life is fruitful and Demeter blesses the growing things. When she reigns as Queen of the Underworld, Demeter goes on strike and nothing grows.
