The Greek underworld, also known as Hades, is a mysterious and haunting place that plays an important role in Greek mythology. According to the myth, the underworld was ruled by Hades, the god of the dead, and it was the final resting place of the souls of the departed.
The underworld was divided into different regions, each with its own ruler and purpose. The Fields of Asphodel, for example, were where the souls of the ordinary dead went, while the Elysian Fields were reserved for the souls of the heroes and the virtuous. The most feared region of the underworld was Tartarus, a place of eternal punishment for the most wicked souls.
The underworld was also home to various characters, including Charon, the ferryman who transported the souls across the River Styx, and Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guarded the gates of the underworld. The stories of the underworld provide a glimpse into the ancient Greek beliefs about the afterlife.
Works Cited:
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing, 2011.
Morford, Mark P. O., and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical Mythology. Oxford University Press, 2014.