In Greek mythology, the goddess of spring and the underworld who was abducted by Hades and must spend half the year below the earth.
From ancient Greek Persephonē, possibly derived from perses (destroyer) and phonē (voice/appearance), though the true origin is uncertain. The Romans called her Proserpina. Her myth became a central allegory for the changing seasons.
Persephone's story is basically an ancient explanation for why plants die in winter—when she's forced to the underworld, her mother Demeter mourns and makes everything barren. It's basically the original 'why does winter exist' story that ancient Greeks told.
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