Persephone

1
In Greek mythology, Persephone was the symbol of
the Earth's fertility at the same time that she
was the Queen of the Underworld, the Kore or
young maiden, and the daughter of Demeter and
Zeus. In the Olympian version she also becomes
the consort of Hades when he becomes the deity
that governs the underworld.
Connotations Plentiful Harvest, Beauty,

• Persephone

The figure of Persephone is well-known today
mainly because of its great emotional power an
innocent maiden, a mother's grief at the
abduction, and joy at the return of her daughter.
The abduction myth is also used frequently to
explain natural processes, with the descent and
return of the goddess bringing about the change
of seasons.
2
Pharisees
Connotations Cockiness, Superiority Complex,
Strict Interpretations
The Pharisees were one of at least four major
sects within the Jewish religion around the first
century (at the time of Jesus), and were most
prominently in opposition to the Sadducee sect.
One of their main characteristics was a sense of
superiority to the heathen and idolatrous
nations. They were taught to separate themselves
from their neighbors. "And now make confession to
the Lord the God of your fathers, and do his
pleasure, and separate yourselves from the people
of the land, and from your strange wives" (Ezra
1011). Intermarriage with the heathens was
strictly forbidden and many such marriages
previously contracted, even of priests, were
dissolved due to this new legislation under
Esdras.
3
Philistines
The Philistines are prominently depicted in the
Old Testament of the Christian Bible as Israel's
worst enemy.
Connotations Threatening, Loss of Power
The Philistines posed a threat to southern Israel
and oppressed the Israelites during the days of
judges Samson and Samuel. In the days of king
Saul the positions of power kept changing, but it
was only during the reign of king David the
Philistines were thrown back, and even lost part
of their territory. Afterwards David went so far
as to incorporate many Philistine soldiers in his
army. Until the Babylonian Captivity of Judah
their role in history remained insignificant, and
finally they disappeared altogether from the
scene.
4
Phoenix
Connotations fire, divinity, immortality
Very popular in early Christian art
A phoenix is a mythical bird with beautiful gold
and red plumage. At the end of its life-cycle the
phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs
that it then ignites both nest and bird burn
fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a
new, young phoenix arises. The new phoenix is
destined to live, usually, as long as the old
one. In some stories, the new phoenix embalms the
ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh
and deposits it in the Egyptian city of
Heliopolis (sun city in Greek). The bird was also
said to regenerate when hurt or wounded, thus
being almost immortal and invincible.
5
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judaea
from 26 AD to 36 AD. Through this position, he
was responsible for the execution of Jesus.
Connotations power, crucial character,
democracy, blame
In modern times he is best known as the man who
presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his
crucifixion. Pilate appears in all four Christian
Gospels, but his presence is most notable in
Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Mark, demonstrating
Jesus to be innocent of plotting against Rome,
portrays Pilate as extremely reluctant to execute
Jesus, blaming the Jewish hierarchy for his
death. In Matthew, Pilate washes his hands of
Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death. In
Luke, Pilate not only agrees that Jesus did not
conspire against Rome but King Herod also finds
nothing treasonous in Jesus' actions.
6
Procrustes
Procrustes was the ancient champion of enforced
conformity.
Connotations Terror, Conformity, Shape
He was a bandit from Attica, with a stronghold in
the hills outside Eleusis. There, he had an iron
bed into which he invited every passerby to lie
down. If the guest proved too tall, he would
amputate the excess length but if the victim was
found wanting in height, they were then stretched
out on the rack until they gained the required
inches. Nobody would ever fit in the bed because
it was secretly adjustable Procrustes would
stretch or shrink it upon sizing his victims from
afar. Procrustes continued his reign of terror
until he was captured by Theseus, who "fitted"
Procrustes to his own bed and cut off his head
and feet (since Theseus was a stout fellow, the
bed had been set on the short position). Killing
Procrustes was the last adventure of Theseus on
his journey from Troezen to Athens.