Proserpina
The Latin name for Persephone, erroneously derived by the Romans from proserpere, "to shoot forth." She is the goddess of the underworld, daughter of Ceres and Jupiter. The Roman story of her abduction from Sicily to the underworld and subsequent release is the same as the Greek story of Persephone.
Proserpina is also identified with Libitina, because of her connection with the dead, and with Libera, because of her fertility aspect.
❧
References
Source
- Cicero. On the Nature of the Gods ii, 21, 53; iii, 34, 83. Claudian. The Rape of Proserpine. Hyginus. Fabulae, 146. Ovid. Metamorphoses v, 341.