In Greek mythology, Persephone was the queen of the Underworld. The name, Persephone, means 'she who destroys light' in Greek. In Roman mythology she was called Proserpina. She was also known as Kore.

Persphone was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the earth. There are different stories about who her father was, he is usually named to be Zeus, the leader of the gods. Persephone had no real role among the Olympian gods, and she was kept away from the other gods by her mother in a peaceful life. That was until Hades abducted Persephone as she was picking flowers and forced her to become the goddess of the underworld.

Demeter refused to continue her duties and to tend the earth until her daughter was brought back to her, causing Zeus to make Hades return Persephone. Before Persephone could return, Hades tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds from the underworld requiring her to spend a part of each year with Hades.

Persephone's purpose in Greek and Roman myth is often interpreted as their explanation for the yearly seasons; when Persephone is with her mother the Demeter attended to the earth, but when Persephone was in the underworld, the earth became barren. Her myth can also be interpreted as allegory for ancient Greek marriage customs.