The ancient Greeks, like many ancient cultures, believed in multiple deities. The Gods had supernatural powers and forces. Myths about these gods helped explain things about Greek life. These myths were important because they explained why the Greeks did things a certain way and what was important to them. The article Greek Mythology explains that some “…myths arose when humans sought to understand the natural world around them.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The myth of Persephone and Hades was culturally significant because it helped explain the cycle of changing seasons and also the importance of one of their religious rituals. Persephone, was the beautiful goddess of spring who became queen of the Underworld. She was the daughter of Zeus, ruler of the sky and the Olympian gods, and the only daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, summer and agriculture. Demeter loved Persephone very much. Hades, brother of both Demeter and Zeus, was the god of the underworld and king of the dead. When he saw Persephone he fell madly in love with her and wanted her for his wife. Hades asked Zeus for her hand and Zeus accepted, but Hades knew that Demeter would never agree to let her beloved daughter be taken to the Underworld so one day, while Persephone was picking flowers, Hades kidnapped her. Demeter searched for Persephone but could not find her and was overcome with grief. While he suffered, the earth froze and nothing would grow. Eventually, Zeus feared that humans would all die without Demeter's "gifts" and sent for Persephone to be returned to Demeter. When Persephone returned to Olympus, she revealed that she had eaten six pomegranate seeds. Pomegranates were the fruit of the Underworld and the symbol of “life and death, rebirth and eternal life, fertility and marriage and abundance” (Hamburger). This meant that Persephone was bound to Hades in the Underworld and could not return to her mother. The Gods came to a compromise that since Persephone had only eaten six seeds, she would remain in the Underworld with Hades for six months of the year and then could return to her Mother for the other six months of the year. During the half year that she ruled the Underworld as Queen of the Underworld, Demeter grieved and the world became cold, Autumn and Winter, and when she returned she brought Spring and then Summer (Cartwright; Hamilton 57-64). The main reason why the character Persephone was important to Greek culture was because she helped explain a part of the natural world, before scientific knowledge existed. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia “The story of Demeter and Persephone was perhaps symbolic of the changing of the seasons and the everlasting change from life to death, to life again, or in other words, the changes from summer to winter and the return of life in spring as seen in agriculture (Cartwright). The myth of Persephone wasn't just a story, it was important because it actually helped the Greek people make sense of the world around them. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get Custom Essay Another reason why the myth of Persephone was important to Greek culture is that it helped explain some of the customs and rituals of the Greeks. According to the Ohio State Archaeological Excavations in Greece, "myths arose to explain how and where the Greeks performed their rites" (Greek mythology). The religious cult of Persephone and Demeter was an important part of Greek life. The myth helped people understand why the religious ritual existed and why they should honor it. The ancient Greek mythological character Persephone was culturally relevant.