I.gen. CERERVS, Inscr. Fabr. p. 626, 225; cf. Inscr. Orell. 1364), f. Sabini Cererem panem appellant, Serv. ad Verg. G. 1, 7; prop. the goddess of creation (cf. Serv. l. l.), from the stem cer, Sanscr. kri, to make, the daughter of Saturn and Ops, Ov. F. 6, 285, sister of Jupiter and Pluto, mother of Proserpine, goddess of agriculture, esp. of the cultivation of corn, and of the growth of fruits in gen. (cf. Cerealis); “represented as upon a chariot drawn by dragons, with a torch in her hand, and crowned with poppies or ears of corn,” Ov. F. 4, 497; 4, 561; 3, 786; 4, 616; id. Am. 3, 10, 3; Tib. 1, 1, 15; 2, 1, 4; Verg. G. 1, 96; Hor. C. S. 30; cf. O. Müll. Archaeol. § 357 sq.: templum Desertae Cereris, deserted (because the temple was in a solitary, secluded place), Verg. A. 2, 714: “Cereri nuptias facere,” i. e. without wine, Plaut. Aul. 2, 6, 5; cf. Serv. ad Verg. G. 1, 343.—From the names of places where she was worshipped, called Ceres Hennensis, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 49, § 107; Lact. 2, 4, 28: “Catinensis, id. l. l.: Eleusina,” id. 1, 21, 24: “Milesia,” id. 2, 7, 19; cf. Val. Max. 1, 1, ext. 5.—
B. Ceres profunda or inferna, i. e. Proserpina, Stat. Th. 4, 460; 5, 156; cf.: “sacerdos Cererum,” Inscr. Orell. 6082.—
II. Meton., food, bread, fruit, corn, grain, etc., Fest. s. v. cocus, p. 45; cf.: “fruges Cererem appellamus, vinum autem Liberum,” Cic. N. D. 2, 23, 60; Verg. G. 1, 297; id. A. 1, 177; 1, 701; Hor. C. 3, 24, 13; id. Epod. 16, 43; Ov. M. 3, 437; 8, 292; 11, 112 al.—Prov.: “sine Cerere et Libero friget Venus,” Ter. Eun. 4, 5, 6; cf. Cic. N. D. 2, 23, 60.
