The Narcissus and the pomegranate
Subtitle: an archaeology of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter
By: Ann Suter.
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Ann Arbor
Language: eng
Number of pages: 268
Subjects: Hymn to Demeter.; Demeter (Greek deity) in literature.; Persephone (Greek deity) in literature.; Hymns, Greek (Classical) -- History and criticism.; Goddesses, Greek, in literature.
Description: "In The Narcissus and the Pomegranate, the author analyzes the traditional language of the hymn and Persephone's retelling of her story to Demeter, arguing that the hymn involves an earlier tale of Demeter and Persephone that predates the seventh century. Suter uses anthropological applications to illustrate that the story of Persephon's abduction does not reflect a female initiation rite into adulthood, as has been argued, but rather a hieros gamos.

These methodologies point to the conclusion that Persephone was once a powerful goddess in her own right, independent of Hades and of Demeter as well."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 241-259) and index.