Demetra is a figure from ancient Greek mythology, known as the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest. She is often associated with the growth of crops and the changing seasons. Demetra is the mother of Persephone, who is central to the myth explaining the cycle of life and death, as well as the seasonal changes in nature. In Roman mythology, Demetra is equivalent to Ceres. She was worshipped in various festivals, including the Thesmophoria, which celebrated fertility and the harvest. Demetra's influence extended beyond agriculture, symbolizing the nurturing aspects of motherhood and the importance of the earth's bounty for human survival.