How Is The Underworld Related To Greek Mythology

More clearly than the Bible, Greek/Roman mythology helps outline the life cycle that almost always applies to the traditional archetypal hero. With basic knowledge of the Bible we can determine right from wrong and its influence in real life when reading mythology. As the reader we experience this when seeing the actions the hero takes, as explained by Frye when he states, "... the central myth of the hero whose mysterious birth, triumph and marriage, death and betrayal and eventual rebirth..." (Frye, 67), explaining the archetypical story outline of the tragic hero. As an example of the archetype, the story of Hercules starts with the mysterious birth of a being that is half god and half man, with his father famously being Zeus. Following Hercules' diverse birth we also know he triumphed over the leader of the underworld named Hades, while also

This essay will consist of the many differences, but also the very few similarities, of

“Prometheus was one of the Titans, son of Iapetus (also a Titan) and Clymene, an Oceanid. His brothers were Epimetheus, Atlas and Menoetius. The name derives from the Greek word meaning 'forethought'. During the Titanomachy, the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods, Prometheus sided with Zeus, helping to overthrow the old gods. Siding with the winning side, Prometheus avoided being punished with the rest of the Titans and was therefore not sent to Tartarus, the Underworld.

Hades, also known as Aides and Aidoneus, was the son of Kronos and Rhea, and the youngest brother of Zeus and Poseidon. He was the ruler of the mythological subterranean region called the underworld, which was inhabited by the “shades” or spirits of the dead. It was also home to dethroned or exiled deities who had been overthrown by Zeus and his allies. Hades and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, dethroned Kronos and the other Titans and then divided up earth among the three of them. Zeus reined the sky, Poseidon the sea and Hades ruled the underworld. The name “Hades” has been synonymously used for both the god of the underworld and the underworld itself. It is necessary to distinguish between Hades the location and Hades the god of the Underworld, the god of the dead. Hades comes from a Greek root meaning "unseen," "hidden," or "unknown." In Egypt, the equivalent of Hades is Amenti which means "hidden place" or "place of the hidden god," ; and in the roots of the word hell, had a sense of "hiding" or "concealing." Unlike the Christian concept of heaven and hell, which have separate locations, the Greek underworld was home to the souls of the virtuous and the damned, the good and the bad. In Hades the souls were separated in different sections or realms of the underworld, but all of the realms were apart of the same subterranean location. Individuals’ conduct on earth was the defining factor in deciding which realm they would be sent to; much like the judging of the

The Ancient Greeks used mythical characters not only to create stories but to also signify what traits that the people who read them should strive for. In the stories that the hero Perseus is in we can see many of these traits that were significant in the ancient Greek times. These stories were also historically momentous, inspiring many artists to depict scenes from the tales for generations to come. The narratives passed down from generations had such a major impact on the Greek culture so much so that it even affected the people.

The afterlife in ancient Greece was Known as Hades. It was a grey world ruled by Hades, the Lord of the Dead. If they had a virtuous life they could enjoy the sunny pleasures of the Elysium or paradise, if they had a wicked life, then they fell into the dark pits of Tartarus, while if they

The Odyssey emphasizes the barren and sad nature of the Underworld, showing that the Greeks believe that death is the end of life's happiness. Odysseus' mother explains to Odysseus why he cannot embrace her: “The sinews no longer hold the flesh and bones together;/ these perish in the fierceness of consuming fire as soon as life has/left the body, and the soul flits away as though it were a dream” (Homer 6). From this statement, it can be inferred that the Greeks think that death is a great equalizer. The bad have it worse in Hell but they die like the good, feeling rather sad in not being able to live again. Virgil, however, describes the Underworld in greater detail through its sequences and in much more glorified details (Leach 120). In The Aeneid, every seat in the Underworld is a product of judgment on people's lives (121). Virgil depicts Pluto's dome, which has the roman vestibulum where official and honorable guests congregate (121). Virgil also describes the differences between the people of honor and people of sin in the Underworld. Sinners suffer in the cliff guarded by Tisiphone, where vultures eat their livers and experience numerous other forms of suffering. The Underworld also holds heroes who continually fight their legendary battles: “Here found they Tsucer's old heroic race,/ Born better times and happier years to grace./ Assaracus and Ilus here enjoy/ Perpetual fame, with him who founded Troy” (Virgil 6). Virgil is saying that

The similarities and differences

Tartarus consisted of the pit of Tartarus, which was a dungeon for those who lived a wicked life and were being punished for their deeds (Joe). The Islands of the Blessed or Elysian Islands, located in Erebus, were where the great heroes of myth resided after death (Wikipedia). Also situated in Erebus, the Elysian Fields were where the virtuous dead were sent to dwell (Wikipedia). These souls where favored by the gods and were blessed. The souls that resided here were permitted to retain their memories of past lives (Joe). They could also experience the pleasures they did while they were alive. The environment was joyous and peaceful, and the souls could reside in eternal bliss (Joe).

Greek mythology is a spectacular window into the lives of the ancient Greeks, and a very interesting set of stories that show their values. One particularly interesting story is the myth of Tantalus. He was a mortal son of Zeus, a very powerful god, and was offered many luxuries and banquets that no other mortal could partake in. He repaid the favor by trying to spite the gods, an act no-one could explain. He chopped his only son up into a stew and served it to the gods.

In ancient Greek beliefs people were also judged when they were down in the underworld. At the dividing road between Tartarus, a place of torture in the underworld and the Isles of the Blest, a place for the good in the underworld, there are the Plains of Judgment. Awaiting the souls in the Plain of Judgment are Aeacus, Minos, and Rhadamanthys. These dead men, judge who goes to Tartarus, who goes to the Isles of the Blest or back to the Asphodel Fields if they were neither good or evil. These men were all sons of Zeus who were rewarded as judges in the underworld by creating the first just laws on Earth. Aeacus was king of Aegina during mortal life and was also known for making decisions for Zeus. After his death he became keeper of the keys of Hades and the judge of men of Europe in the Underworld. Minos was the King of Crete, and Rhadamanthys was his brother. They both lived in Asia during their mortal lives. After his death, Rhadamanthys became lord of the Isles of the Blest, and judge of the men of Asia. After Minos died he gained the responsibility of having the final judgment. In The Odyssey, Odysseus says " And now there came before my eyes Minos, the son of Zeus, enthroned, holding a golden staff, dealing out justice among ghostly pleaders arrayed about the broad doorways of Death.". (XI. 640) The Greeks believed Minos had a lot of power in the underworld. In Roman beliefs Rhadamanthus had control over the punishments people

“Our primary concern right now – my primary concern – is the stability of our financial system, the orderliness of the markets, and that’s where our focus is.”3 – Henry Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury

The characters are really important. The good guys are: Link, Zelda, Epona (a horse),Fi, Sheik, Midna, Hero’s Shade, Ravio,Farore, Din, Toon Link, Princess Ruto, Groose, Saria, Impa, Ralph, Cole, Hyrule King, Tingle, Navi, Nabooru, Hilda, Line Beck, Byrne, Ghirahim, Bellum, Nyra, and Ratti.

The story of Tantalus is a myth of caution and of deep meaning. Tantalus started out as a highly respected god. He was born into high standing as the son of Zeus and married the daughter of Atlas. Tantalus was favorable with the gods and was allowed to sit at Zeus’ table in Olympus. The fact that he sat at the table also made Tantalus popular among humans. The privilege of sitting at the table was a rare occurrence and Tantalus was considered fortunate.

The differences are way more numerous that the similarities and in this part of the essay we are going to present just that.