Greek underworld
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In Greek mythology, the underworld indicates the kingdom of deaths. It is a subterranean place ruled by the god Hades (in Greek Ἅιδης, Haides), and for this reason it is also referred to as the kingdom of Hades or simply Hades.
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[edit] Geography
The details concerning the nature of Hades are variable.
The five rivers of Hades are Acheron (the river of sorrow), Cocytus (lamentation), Phlegethon (fire), Lethe (forgetfulness) and Styx (hate), which forms the boundary between upper and lower worlds. See also Eridanos.
The deceased entered the underworld by crossing the river Acheron ferried across by Charon (kair'-on), who charged an obolus, a small coin for passage, placed under the tongue of the deceased by pious relatives. Paupers and the friendless gathered forever on the near shore. The far side of the river was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of of three places:
- back to the Asphodel Meadows, if they are neither virtuous nor evil;
- Elysium, if they are heroic, blessed, virtuous, etc.;
- Tartarus, if they are impious or evil, where they are subjected to eternal punishment (compare Christian Hell).
[edit] Alternatives
A contrasting myth of the afterlife concerns the Garden of the Hesperides, often identified with the Isles of the Blessed.
[edit] Myths in which it features
The twelfth and last task of Hercules was to retrieve Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of Hades, from his post and show him to his cousin, for whom he was working as punishment from killing his wife and sons. He was successful, and was rewarded freedom from bondage after unintentional infanticide.
The Argonaut Orpheus, a wonderful musician, lost his soon to be wife after she was bitten by a snake. He descended to the Underworld and managed to pass Cerberus and Charon by charming them with his lyre to plead Hades and Persephone. He was allowed to have her back, if he reached the normal world again without looking over his shoulder. At the last minute, because he was unable to hear his wife's footsteps, he turned back and in doing so he caught his last glimpse of his wife's ghost as he lost her forever.
Both Odysseus and Aeneas reached the underworld in their journeys after the fall of Troy, and the way ahead was made clearer to them.
[edit] See also
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