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Glite Dictionary
Proserpina

Proserpina

1 9.9
A Roman goddess of the world of the dead and of spring
  • proper noun
  • /prəˈsɜr.pɪ.nə/
  • Literature
: Proserpina
  • Many ancient festivals were held in honor of Proserpina, celebrating her dual role as goddess of spring and the underworld.

Examples

  • In Roman mythology, Proserpina is known as the goddess of the underworld and springtime.

  • The tale of Demeter and Persephone (Proserpina and Ceres in Roman mythology) is one of the most enduring mother-daughter narratives and the one that has perhaps exercised the greatest influence on Western literature.

    Academic text (1996)

  • For these give joy and sorrow; but thou, Proserpina, sleep. (ll. 3-4)

    Academic text (2016)

  • The story of Proserpina highlights the themes of life and death in nature.

Synonyms

Persephone
vsProserpina
  • Literature
7 9.9

Daughter of Zeus and Demeter who spends part of each year as queen of the underworld

is the Roman version linking that goddess to spring as well
Cora
vsProserpina
  • Literature
1 8.7

Daughter of Zeus and Demeter who becomes queen of the underworld after Pluto takes her

is the Roman counterpart linking the figure to spring and Roman cult
Proserpine
vsProserpina
  • Literature
9.9

A Roman goddess of the underworld connected to the changing seasons

is the more usual Roman name that also connects her to spring

Surface Forms

Proserpina main

Etymology

The word Proserpina is the Roman form of the Greek goddess Persephone. A helpful way to remember her story is that she spends part of each year in the 'underworld' and then returns in 'spring' to bring new life to the earth, so Proserpina is linked to both 'death' and 'new life'.