Demeter was the goddess of fertility, grain, and the harvest. As an earth goddess, she preferred to be near the soil, so she didn't spend much time on Mount Olympus. Unlike Hades, however, who stayed within his realm in the Underworld, Demeter participated in the Olympians' councils or tribunals. Her presence, however, was felt most strongly on Earth. More than any other Olympian deity, Demeter could claim to rule Earth because it was her home.

Generally perceived as a kind and generous goddess, she was popular throughout ancient Greece, perhaps because she was thought to spend more time among the people than the other Olympians did or perhaps because her blessing was so important. Her status as the goddess of the harvest and grain meant that the ancients relied on her to provide them with the food they needed to survive. In addition, Demeter held the powers of destruction and creation, so the people wanted to keep her happy.

Demeter's Wrath

Although Demeter's basic nature was kind, she felt emotions just as humans did — and her kindness could change to cruelty when she became angry or upset. For example, when Persephone disappeared, Demeter's grief created hardship for humans as well. Another example of Demeter's cruelty is seen in the story of Erysichthon, a foolish young man who felt her wrath.

Erysichthon was the son of the king of Dotion. He decided to build a great hall in which to hold feasts, but he needed timber. Having no respect for the gods, he entered an oak grove that was sacred to Demeter and planned to cut down enough trees to build his banquet hall. As Erysichthon began chopping, blood flowed from the trees' wounds. A passerby warned him not to proceed, but Erysichthon beheaded the man for his meddling. As he continued his attack on the grove, the tree spirits cried out in despair to Demeter.

Demeter disguised herself as a priestess and approached Erysichthon. She begged him to stop destroying the grove, but he ignored her. Next, Demeter ordered him to leave the place. Laughing at the audacity of a mere priestess, Erysichthon threatened her with his ax. Demeter left, telling him to carry on because he was going to need his dining hall.

Demeter was appalled by Erysichthon's blatant act of sacrilege. She called upon Peina (Hunger) to help her punish him. Peina, glad to be of assistance, immediately went in search of the impious young man.

When she found him, Peina plagued Erysichthon with constant hunger, no matter how much he ate. Within a few days, he'd spent his entire fortune on food — and still was not sated. Everything was gone but his daughter, who sold herself into slavery to buy her father food. Erysichthon was left with absolutely nothing at all. Still tormented by hunger, he began to eat his own legs. Eventually, he killed himself by devouring his own flesh.

As this myth shows, it was never wise for mortals to challenge the gods. Even Demeter, normally a benevolent goddess, could be cruel when crossed.