underworld (1)

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.