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Now among the rites of Ceres, those Eleusinian rites are much famed
which were in the highest repute among the Athenians, of which Varro
offers no interpretation except with respect to corn, which Ceres
discovered, and with respect to Proserpine, whom Ceres lost, Orcus
having carried her away. And this Proserpine herself, he says,
signifies the fecundity of seeds. But as this fecundity departed at a
certain season, whilst the earth wore an aspect of sorrow through the
consequent sterility, there arose an opinion that the daughter of
Ceres, that is, fecundity itself, who was called Proserpine, from
proserpere (to creep forth, to spring), had been carried away by
Orcus, and detained among the inhabitants of the nether world; which
circumstance was celebrated with public mourning. But since the same
fecundity again returned, there arose joy because Proserpine had been
given back by Orcus, and thus these rites were instituted. Then
Varro adds, that many things are taught in the mysteries of Ceres
which only refer to the discovery of fruits.
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