WHAT IS THE UNDERWORLD IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY? - HISTORY - 2025

The underworld in Greek mythology refers to the space (imaginary or physical) that people go to after they die. It is known as the underworld because it was considered to be in the deepest area 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 features living beings, including fruit trees, asphodel flowers, among others. Likewise, it presents geographical accidents, among which the five rivers of the underworld stand out.

Hades is often associated with hell. In fact, these words are used as synonyms today. However, the underworld meets the western definitions of heaven and hell. To a certain extent, this corresponds to the current conception of the afterlife.

Origin of the underworld

The underworld has existed before the gods organized themselves on Olympus. However, the popular Greek conception of the land of the dead originated when the sons of Cronos (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) rose up against their father and the other Titans.

Later, 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 get out of 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 under the earth's surface, as its name indicates. Others indicate that it is located at the end of the Earth.

Geography

Underworld regions

The underworld is divided into three regions: Tartarus, the Asphodel Meadows, and the Champs Elysees.

1- Tartarus

Of the three regions of the underworld, Tartarus is the deepest. This zone is usually associated with hell, since it constitutes a zone in which souls are held, imprisoned and punished. In Tartarus the Titans Tantalus, Titus and Sisyphus were prisoners.

2- Asphodel Meadows

In the Asphodel meadows, you will find most of the people who have died. 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 lifetime. This land is crossed by the Lete River.

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 pleasure. 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 operation of Hades. These five rivers are Styx, Lethe, Acheron, Phlegethon and Cocytus.

1- Styx

The River Styx is the largest of the five rivers of the underworld, so large that it circles the territory of Hades seven times. It was named in honor of the daughter of Zeus, nymph of the river.

2- Lete

The Lete River is the stream of oblivion, named after the goddess of the same name. This river crosses the Asphodel meadows. Those who drink from its waters will forget the events prior to their death and will be condemned to an existence of ignorance.

3- Acheron

The Aqueronte river is known as the river of sorrows or the river of pain. A boat is in charge of crossing this river to transport the souls from the land of the living to the land of the dead.

4-

The river Flegetonte is also called the river of fire because it reaches the deepest areas of the underworld (Tartarus) where perennial flames are considered to burn.

5- Cocito

The Cocito river is often called the river of laments. In this, all the souls who cannot cross the Acheron in the barge remain because they did not have 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 together with his wife, Persephone (daughter of Zeus).

However, the goddess Persephone was not found in the land of the dead by will but was kidnapped 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

The furies are the goddesses of revenge. They hunt down anyone who has shed their family's blood 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 boat that transports souls from the land of the living to the underworld.

5- Radamantis, Minos and Éaco

Radamantis, Minos and Aeacus were three kings renowned for their good judgment. For this reason, they were awarded a position in the underworld as judges who decide who enters and who does not. Also, they judge what level of Hades the person is destined for.

6- Nyx

The goddess of darkness, Nyx, inhabits Hades on the Tartarus level.

7- Thánathos and Hypnos

Thánathos (the god of death) and his brother Hypnos (the god of sleep) inhabit the underworld.

8- Can Cerberus

The three-headed dog with a serpent's tail that is the guardian of the gates of Hades. Your mission is to prevent souls from escaping from the underworld.

References

1. Five Rivers of the Greek Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
2. Greek Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
3. Hades. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greeklegendsandmyths.com
4. The Underworld. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greekmythology.wikia.com
5. The Underworld in Greek Mythlogy. Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from greeklegendsandmyths.com
6. What Were the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology? Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com
7. Who is Charon? Retrieved on October 11, 2017, from thoughtco.com