Who is the goddess associated with the harvest and agriculture?

The goddess associated with the harvest and agriculture is Demeter. In ancient Greek mythology, Demeter is revered as the goddess of the grain and the fertility of the earth. She plays a crucial role in the agricultural cycles, embodying the nurturing aspects of the earth that allow crops to grow. Her most famous myth involves her daughter Persephone, whose abduction by Hades leads Demeter to cause the earth to become barren, representing the seasonal cycle of growth and dormancy.

Demeter’s connection to agriculture is not only central to her identity but also to the livelihoods of the ancient Greeks, who depended heavily on farming. She was worshipped through various rituals and festivals, such as the Thesmophoria, which were designed to ensure a fruitful harvest and to honor her contributions to agriculture.

In contrast, Artemis is primarily known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon, Hera is known for her role as the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, and Athena is revered for her wisdom and warfare prowess. None of these deities have a direct association with agriculture in the same way that Demeter does.