Demeter and Persephone

In Greek Mythology, Demeter is the Goddess of Agriculture and married to Zeus. In the myth, her struggle to release her daughter Persephone from Hades explained the cause of the seasons to the Ancient Greeks.

Demeter’s daughter Persephone was seized by Hades. Demeter spent a long time searching for Persephone and had various adventures whilst on her travels. Eventually she asks Zeus to release Persephone, as her absence is causing a drought, making the people suffer.
Zeus sends Hermes to collect her, but Hades retained his hold over Persephone by making her eat 4 or 6 Pomegranate seeds. This had the effect of forcing her to return to Hades for 4 or 6 months of the year.

This Myth was part of Greek and Roman Life, and celebrated in the Eleusinian Mysteries.