underworld (1)
Publié le 22/02/2012
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Greek The black abyss known
as Hades and the dwelling place of the dead. The lord
of the Greek underworld was Hades or, sometimes,
Pluto. The consort of Hades was Persephone, who
lived in the underworld for four months of the year.
(See Demeter and Persephone, under Demeter.)
In Greek mythology, the location of the underworld
changed over time. In ancient times, it was
supposed to be in "the Far West," the place that lay
beyond the sea that encircled the Earth, which then
was thought to be flat. The Far West was thought to
be barren and uninhabited. However, as geographic
knowledge progressed, it became evident that other
lands lay beyond the ocean and were fruitful and
peopled. Consequently, the underworld was placed
under the Earth, a region of dark shadows and
mystery, where the dead were buried.
Travelers seeking access to the underworld had
first to cross the Grove of Persephone. At the gate
to Hades waited the dog Cerberus, who had at
least three heads, in some accounts as many as 50. A
monstrous watchdog, Cerberus had a roaring bark to
terrify all, but he could be appeased by a "sop," a piece
of honeyed bread.
Surrounding Hades and leading to its subterranean
depths were many rivers: Acheron (River of
Sadness), Cocytus (River of Lamentation), Lethe
(River of Oblivion), and Styx (River of Hate).
To cross the Styx, a soul needed to pay old
Charon, the miserly ferryman. Once in Hades the
souls of the dead drank from the Lethe to obtain
forgetfulness of their former lives and thoughts.
The fortunate few who had won the favor of
the gods went to Elysium, a special section of the
underworld, or perhaps that magical place called "the
Far West." Here the shades, or spirits, of the dead
lived in great happiness until eternity.
Those who were truly evil were sent to Tartarus,
the deepest, darkest, vilest section of the underworld.
Liens utiles
- Laverna Roman A goddess of the Underworld of ancient Italian origins.
- Minthe (Menthe) Greek A naiad, or river nymph of the Cocytus, a river that flowed to the underworld.
- Orcus Roman Either an ancient Roman god of the Underworld (2) or an alternative name for Dis, the primary Roman god of this land of the dead.
- Pluto Greek and Roman A name used to refer to the god of the underworld.
- Proserpina Roman Queen of the Underworld (2) and the consort or wife of Dis, the Roman god of the underworld.