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staredlast Saturday at 11:33 AM1 replyview on HN

You're mixing up phōnē (voice) and phonos (slaughter), but the truth about Persephone is actually more metal.

Her name predates Greek contacts with Persians, so the timeline doesn't fit. Instead, it comes from perthein (to destroy) + phonos, making her the "Bringer of Destruction". With a caveat that the etymology of her name is uncertain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone#Name

I do like "killer of distance" for telephone, though. :)


Replies

thaumasioteslast Saturday at 4:35 PM

> Instead, it comes from perthein (to destroy) + phonos, making her the "Bringer of Destruction". With a caveat that the etymology of her name is uncertain:

But... of all the theories listed there, perthein isn't among them.

And if the roots are "destroy" and "death", what would make her the "bringer" of destruction?