Cĕrēs (cf. Verg. G. 1, 96; Ov. F. 4, 615; Mart. 3, 58, 6), ĕris (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],
I 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; Stat. 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. 732; cf. Cic. N. D. 2, 23, 60.