Part of my work is teaching Greek myths to children and there is only so much that you can teach in a session. One story that I do not teach is Persephone and Hades.
Hades is one of the good guys of Greek mythology but he is sometimes a bit sad. He is the ruler of Tartarus, the underworld, and does not get as much female attention as his more popular brother. Zeus knows this and fears an angry Hades.
Hades needs a wife but not many of the nymphs or goddesses are interested in becoming the misteress of Tartarus. One day whilst riding his chariot Hades happens upon Persephone and her companions. He seizes her and drags her back to the underworld. In the underworld Persephone is confronted by a kind and nice Hades who tries to make her comfortable. She is taken aback by his attention but refuses to eat but after much coaxing she eats six pomegranate seeds.
Meanwhile in the land of the living Demeter, mother of Persephone and goddess of the land is seeking her daughter. She discovers that her daughter has been taken by Hades and curses Persephone’s companion so they become the Sirens.
Hades will not release Persephone so Demeter goes to Zeus who is reluctant to intervene. Here is a chance for Hades to be less angry and less of a threat. He ignores Demeter who in turn ignores her job of keeping the Earth fertile and now Zeus is hearing the complaints of men as well as the scorned mother.
Zeus decrees that Persephone must stay in the underworld if she has eaten anything but must be released if she has not. When it is discovered that she has eaten six pomegranate seeds the world weeps until Zeus says she must spend six months in the underworld which will be autumn and winter but six months in the over world which will be spring and summer.
Historytalker 