He underworld in Greek mythology refers to the space (imaginary or physical) to which people go after dying. It is known as the underworld because it was considered to be in the deepest part of the Earth, where sunlight did not reach.
It is also called the kingdom of Hades (or simply Hades) because the underworld was the portion of the cosmos that belonged to this Greek god, just as the heavens belonged to Zeus and the seas belonged to Poseidon.
Despite being the land of the dead, the kingdom of Hades presents living beings, among which stand fruit trees, asphodel flowers, among others. Also, it presents / displays geographical accidents, between which they emphasize the five rivers of the underworld.
Hades is often associated with hell. In fact, these words are now used synonymously. However, the underworld meets Western definitions of heaven and hell. To some extent, this corresponds to the current conception of the beyond.
Origin of the underworld
The underworld has existed since before the gods were organized on Olympus. However, the popular Greek conception of the land of the dead originated when the sons of Cronos (Zeus, Poseidon and Hades) rose against their father and the other titans.
Subsequently, these brothers divided the cosmos into three equal parts. The result was that Zeus would control the heavens and the earth, Poseidon the waters and Hades the underworld and beyond.
By extension, this portion of the cosmos is known as Hades, which gives an idea of the importance that this god had for the development of the idea of the underworld.
Location
According to the Greek conception, no one who entered the underworld would have been able to leave it. Therefore, there were not many texts that extensively described this portion of the cosmos.
There are two ideas around its location. Some authors point out that the underworld is below the earth's surface, as its name implies. Others indicate that it is located at the end of the Earth.
Geography
Regions of the underworld
The underworld is divided into three regions: Tartarus, the Asfódelos meadows and the Champs Elysees.
1- Tartarus
Of the three regions of the underworld, Tartarus is the most profound. This zone is usually associated with hell, since it is an area where souls are held, imprisoned and punished. In the Tartar prisoners were the titans Tántalo, Ticio and Sisyphus.
2 - Asphodel Meadows
In the Asfódelos meadows, the majority of people who have died are found. It is the land of indifference.
This means that the souls that inhabit this region of the underworld were neither good nor bad during their life. This land is crossed by the river Lete.
3- Champs Elysees
The Champs Elysees are the region of Hades that people aspire to reach once they have died. The inhabitants of these fields will lead a life of eternal freedom and pleasures. It represents the heaven or paradise of Western ideology.
Rivers of the underworld
There are five rivers in the underworld and each of these has a specific function for the functioning of Hades. These five rivers are Styria, Lete, Acheron, Flegetonte and Cocito.
1- Styx
The river Styx is the largest of the five rivers of the underworld, so large that it gives seven returns to the territory of Hades. It was named in honor of the daughter of Zeus, river nymph.
2- Lete
The River Lete is the stream of oblivion, named after the homonymous goddess. This river crosses the Asfódelos meadows. Those who drink from their waters will forget the events leading up to their death and will be condemned to an existence of ignorance.
3- Acheron
The Acheron river is known as the river of sorrows or the river of sorrow. A boat is responsible for crossing this river to transport the souls from the land of the living to the land of the dead.
4- Flegetonte
The river Flegetonte is also called the river of fire because it reaches the deepest areas of the underworld (Tartarus) where it is considered to burn perennial flames.
5- Cocito
The Cocito River is often called the Rio de las Lamentos. In this, all the souls that can not cross the Acheron on the barge are left because they have not had a proper burial in the world of the living.
List of the main inhabitants of the underworld
1- Hades and Persephone
The underworld is the kingdom of Hades. This god lived there with his wife, Persephone (daughter of Zeus).
However, the goddess Persephone was not in the land of the dead by will but was abducted by Hades. Each year, Persephone could leave the underworld but was forced to return.
2- Hecate
This goddess went to the underworld to save Persephone from Hades. However, he ended up staying with her to assist her.
3- The Furies
Furies are the goddesses of revenge. They persecute anyone who has spilled the blood of their family and can even follow them after death. Traditionally the existence of three goddesses is recognized: Alecto, Tisífone and Megara.
4- Charon
Charon is in charge of managing the vessel that transports the souls from the land of the living to the underworld.
5- Radamantis, Minos and Aeaco
Radamantis, Minos and Éaco were three kings recognized for their good judgment. For this reason, they were awarded with a position in the underworld as judges who decide who enters and who does not. In addition, they judge at what level of Hades the person is destined.
6- Nyx
The goddess of darkness, Nyx, dwells in Hades on the level of Tartarus.
7- Thánathos and Hypnos
Thanatos (the god of the death) and his brother Hypnos (the god of the dream) inhabit in the underworld.
8- Can Cerbero
The three-headed dog with a snake tail that is the guardian of the gates of Hades. Its mission is to prevent souls from escaping from the underworld.
References
- Five Rivers of the Greek Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
- Greek Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
- Hades. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greeklegendsandmyths.com
- The Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greekmythology.wikia.com
- The Underworld in Greek Mythlogy. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greeklegendsandmyths.com
- What Were the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology? Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
- Who is Charon? Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com