Death and AfterlifeDeath and Afterlifein the Graeco-Roman in the Graeco-Roman

WorldWorld

www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Death.htm

Lecture SummaryLecture Summary

Attitudes toward death and afterlifeAttitudes toward death and afterlife The nature of the soulThe nature of the soul The nature of the underworldThe nature of the underworld Communication between the living and Communication between the living and

the deadthe dead Ideas about the afterlife: punishment and Ideas about the afterlife: punishment and

rewardreward

Greaco-Roman ideas aboutGreaco-Roman ideas about Death and the afterlife Death and the afterlife

Ideas evolved and changed over time: Ideas evolved and changed over time: Archaic view of death is grim (Homer, Archaic Archaic view of death is grim (Homer, Archaic

Greek poets)Greek poets) Soul (Soul (psyche;psyche; eidoloneidolon) possesses a shadowy ) possesses a shadowy

existence existence Underworld = warehouse for the dead (reward Underworld = warehouse for the dead (reward

and punishment absent) and punishment absent) Concept of the soul grows more elaborate Concept of the soul grows more elaborate

between archaic and later classical periodsbetween archaic and later classical periods Concept of the afterlife evolves over time – Concept of the afterlife evolves over time –

emergence of idea of reward and punishment emergence of idea of reward and punishment after death after death

Archaic GreekArchaic GreekAttitudes Toward Death and Attitudes Toward Death and

DyingDying ““You will die and be You will die and be

silent. No memory will silent. No memory will be left you, no regret be left you, no regret when you are gone. when you are gone. You have never You have never touched the Muses’ touched the Muses’ flowers. Shadowy flowers. Shadowy forever in Death’s forever in Death’s realm, you will be realm, you will be wafted on a ghost’s wafted on a ghost’s fluttering wings, one fluttering wings, one of the black dead.” of the black dead.” (Sappho, fr.58, ) (Sappho, fr.58, )

““Sweet Youth no more will Sweet Youth no more will tarry, My friend a while ago;tarry, My friend a while ago;Now white's the head I Now white's the head I carry,carry,And grey my temples grow,And grey my temples grow,My teeth - a ragged row.My teeth - a ragged row.To taste the joy of livingTo taste the joy of livingBut little space have I,But little space have I,And torn with sick misgivingAnd torn with sick misgivingI can but sob and sigh,I can but sob and sigh,So deep the dead men lie.So deep the dead men lie.So deep their place and So deep their place and dismal, All means, be sure, dismal, All means, be sure, they lack Down in the murk they lack Down in the murk abysmal To scale the abysmal To scale the upward track And win their upward track And win their journey backjourney back.”.” (Anacreon, (Anacreon, 570-485 BC)570-485 BC)

www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Death.htm

Homer’s View of Life in the Homer’s View of Life in the UnderworldUnderworld

Where the soul continues to live an Where the soul continues to live an incorporeal and pointless existenceincorporeal and pointless existence

The dead long to be among the light The dead long to be among the light and the living and the living

Death is an equalizer - everyone Death is an equalizer - everyone shares the same fate at death shares the same fate at death

since the dead are senseless they since the dead are senseless they must be led to the underworld must be led to the underworld ((psychopompospsychopompos) usually by Hermes) usually by Hermes

The DeadThe DeadHomerHomer, , Odyssey 11.466-76Odyssey 11.466-76

“ “So we stood there exchanging our sad words, So we stood there exchanging our sad words, grieving both together and shedding the big tears. grieving both together and shedding the big tears. After this thre came to us the soul of Peleus’ son, After this thre came to us the soul of Peleus’ son, Achilleus, and the soul of Patroklos and the soul of Achilleus, and the soul of Patroklos and the soul of stately Antilochos, and the soul of Aias, who for stately Antilochos, and the soul of Aias, who for beauty and stature was greatest of all the Danaans, beauty and stature was greatest of all the Danaans, next to the stately son of Peleus. The soul of swift-next to the stately son of Peleus. The soul of swift-footed Achilleus, ..knew me, and full of lamentation footed Achilleus, ..knew me, and full of lamentation he spoke to me in winged words: “Son of Laertes he spoke to me in winged words: “Son of Laertes and seed of Zeus, resourceful Odysseus, hard man, and seed of Zeus, resourceful Odysseus, hard man, what made you think of this bigger endeavour, how what made you think of this bigger endeavour, how could you endure to come down here to Hades’ could you endure to come down here to Hades’ place, where the place, where the senseless senseless dead men dwell, mere dead men dwell, mere imitations of perished mortals?” (trs. R. Lattimore)imitations of perished mortals?” (trs. R. Lattimore)

Sumerian ideas about the Sumerian ideas about the underworld: underworld: Enkidu dreams of the Enkidu dreams of the

UnderworldUnderworldEpic of Gilgamesh (Epic of Gilgamesh (33rdrd millennium BCE) millennium BCE) ““There is a house whose people sit in darkness; dust is their There is a house whose people sit in darkness; dust is their

food and clay their meat. They are clothed like birds with wings food and clay their meat. They are clothed like birds with wings for covering, they see no light, they sit in darkness. I entered for covering, they see no light, they sit in darkness. I entered the house of dust and I saw the kings of the earth, their crowns the house of dust and I saw the kings of the earth, their crowns put away forever; rulers and princes, all those who once wore put away forever; rulers and princes, all those who once wore kingly crowns and ruled the world in the days of old. They who kingly crowns and ruled the world in the days of old. They who stood in the place of gods like Anu and Enlil, stood now like stood in the place of gods like Anu and Enlil, stood now like servants to fetch baked meats in the house of dust, to carry servants to fetch baked meats in the house of dust, to carry cooked meat and cold water from the water-skin. In the house cooked meat and cold water from the water-skin. In the house of dust which I entered were high priests and acolytes, priests of dust which I entered were high priests and acolytes, priests of incantation and of ecstasy; there were servers of the temple, of incantation and of ecstasy; there were servers of the temple, and there was Etana, that king of Kish whom the eagle had and there was Etana, that king of Kish whom the eagle had carried to heaven in the days of old. I saw also Samuqan, god carried to heaven in the days of old. I saw also Samuqan, god of cattle, and there was Ereshkigal the Queen of the of cattle, and there was Ereshkigal the Queen of the Underworld; and Belit-Sheri squatted in front of her, she who is Underworld; and Belit-Sheri squatted in front of her, she who is the recorded of the gods and keeps the book of death. She held the recorded of the gods and keeps the book of death. She held a tablet from which she read. She raised her head, she saw me a tablet from which she read. She raised her head, she saw me and spoke: ‘Who has brought this one here?’ Then I awoke like and spoke: ‘Who has brought this one here?’ Then I awoke like a man drained of blood who wanders alone in a waste of a man drained of blood who wanders alone in a waste of rushes.” (N.K. Sandars, 1960)rushes.” (N.K. Sandars, 1960)

Ovid, Ovid, MetamorphosesMetamorphoses, 4.432-, 4.432-446446

““And there they wander the And there they wander the bloodless boneless disembodied bloodless boneless disembodied spirits, crowding the forum or the spirits, crowding the forum or the royal palace or going through the royal palace or going through the motions they made while living.” motions they made while living.”

The Geography of the The Geography of the UnderworldUnderworld

Located under the EarthLocated under the EarthEarthly entrance is located at the Earthly entrance is located at the

edges of the edges of the oikumene oikumene (inhabited (inhabited world)world)

bordered by four rivers: 1. Styx bordered by four rivers: 1. Styx (Abhorrent), 2. Acheron (Distress), 3. (Abhorrent), 2. Acheron (Distress), 3. Cocytus (Lament), 4. Phelgethon Cocytus (Lament), 4. Phelgethon (Flaming)(Flaming)

Homer, Homer, OdysseyOdyssey 11.13-19 11.13-19The Entrance to the UnderworldThe Entrance to the Underworld

““Then, when we had got down to the sea shore we drew our ship Then, when we had got down to the sea shore we drew our ship into the water and got her mast and sails into her; we also put into the water and got her mast and sails into her; we also put the sheep on board and took our places, weeping and in great the sheep on board and took our places, weeping and in great distress of mind. Circe, that great and cunning goddess, sent us distress of mind. Circe, that great and cunning goddess, sent us a fair wind that blew dead aft and stayed steadily with us a fair wind that blew dead aft and stayed steadily with us keeping our sails all the time well filled; so we did whatever keeping our sails all the time well filled; so we did whatever wanted doing to the ship's gear and let her go as the wind and wanted doing to the ship's gear and let her go as the wind and helmsman headed her. All day long her sails were full as she helmsman headed her. All day long her sails were full as she held her course over the sea, but when the sun went down and held her course over the sea, but when the sun went down and darkness was over all the earth, we got into the deep waters of darkness was over all the earth, we got into the deep waters of the river Oceanus, where lie the land and city of the Cimmerians the river Oceanus, where lie the land and city of the Cimmerians who live enshrouded in mist and darkness which the rays of the who live enshrouded in mist and darkness which the rays of the sun never pierce neither at his rising nor as he goes down again sun never pierce neither at his rising nor as he goes down again out of the heavens, but the poor wretches live in one long out of the heavens, but the poor wretches live in one long melancholy night. When we got there we beached the ship, took melancholy night. When we got there we beached the ship, took the sheep out of her, and went along by the waters of Oceanus the sheep out of her, and went along by the waters of Oceanus till we came to the place of which Circe had told us.”till we came to the place of which Circe had told us.”

http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/homer/ody/ody10.htmhttp://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/homer/ody/ody10.htm

Ovid, Ovid, MetamorphosesMetamorphoses, 4.432-, 4.432-446446

““Picture a path which is overcast by funeral yew Picture a path which is overcast by funeral yew trees, sloping down to the realms below through trees, sloping down to the realms below through a deathly silence. Along this path, as the mist a deathly silence. Along this path, as the mist curls up from the motionless Styx, the incoming curls up from the motionless Styx, the incoming shades are descending, the ghosts of the recently shades are descending, the ghosts of the recently buried – a rugged region, pervaded by pallor and buried – a rugged region, pervaded by pallor and cold, where the alien spirits can find no sign to cold, where the alien spirits can find no sign to the road which leads to the Stygian city and to the road which leads to the Stygian city and to the dreadful palace of gloomy Dis. The city has the dreadful palace of gloomy Dis. The city has room for all, with its hundred approaches and room for all, with its hundred approaches and gates that are everywhere open. As all the rivers gates that are everywhere open. As all the rivers on earth flow into the sea, so Hades admits every on earth flow into the sea, so Hades admits every soul that arrives; it is never too small for its new soul that arrives; it is never too small for its new population and never begins to feel crowded.” population and never begins to feel crowded.”

Map of the underworldMap of the underworldaccording to the Odyssey and according to the Odyssey and

AeneidAeneid

Ideas about the SoulIdeas about the Soul

Greeks believed that the soul survived as Greeks believed that the soul survived as a shade or image (a shade or image (eidoloneidolon))

The soul associated with breath (i.e. The soul associated with breath (i.e. psychepsyche, , anima,anima, spiritusspiritus = all derivatives of = all derivatives of “breath”)“breath”)

At death the breath/soul leaves the bodyAt death the breath/soul leaves the body The dead envy the living and were thought The dead envy the living and were thought

to cause harm at timesto cause harm at times More typically, they were though to More typically, they were though to

descend to the underworlddescend to the underworld

Achilleus speaking to Odysseus Achilleus speaking to Odysseus in the Underworldin the Underworld

““O shining Odysseus, never try to O shining Odysseus, never try to console me for dying. I would rather console me for dying. I would rather follow the plow as thrall to another follow the plow as thrall to another man, one with no land allotted him man, one with no land allotted him and not much to live on, than be a and not much to live on, than be a king over all the perished dead”king over all the perished dead”

(Homer, The Odyssey 11,488-493). (Homer, The Odyssey 11,488-493).

Homer on the Nature of the SoulHomer on the Nature of the SoulOdysseus meets his MotherOdysseus meets his Mother

Homer, Homer, Odyssey, Odyssey, 11. 205 ff.11. 205 ff.

““So she spoke, but I, pondering it in my heart, yet So she spoke, but I, pondering it in my heart, yet wished to take the soul of my dead mother in my wished to take the soul of my dead mother in my arms. Three times I started toward her, and my arms. Three times I started toward her, and my heart was urgent to hold her, and three times she heart was urgent to hold her, and three times she fluttered out of my hands like a shadow or a fluttered out of my hands like a shadow or a dream, and the sorrow sharpened at the heart dream, and the sorrow sharpened at the heart within me, and so I spoke to her and addressed within me, and so I spoke to her and addressed here in winged words, saying: “Mother, why will here in winged words, saying: “Mother, why will you not wait for me, when I am trying to hold you, you not wait for me, when I am trying to hold you, so that even in Hades with our arms embracing we so that even in Hades with our arms embracing we can both take the satisfaction of dismal mourning? can both take the satisfaction of dismal mourning? Or are you nothing but an image that proud Or are you nothing but an image that proud Persephone sent my w ay, to make me grieve all Persephone sent my w ay, to make me grieve all the more for sorrow?” ..my queenly mother the more for sorrow?” ..my queenly mother answered quickly: “Oh my child, ill-fated beyond answered quickly: “Oh my child, ill-fated beyond all other mortals, this is notall other mortals, this is not

continuedcontinued

Persephone, daughter of Zeus, beguiling Persephone, daughter of Zeus, beguiling you but it is only what happens,when they you but it is only what happens,when they die, to all mortals, the sinews no longer hold die, to all mortals, the sinews no longer hold the flesh and the bones together,and once the flesh and the bones together,and once the spirit has left the white bones, all the the spirit has left the white bones, all the rest of the body is made subject to the fire’s rest of the body is made subject to the fire’s strong fury, but the soul flitters out like a strong fury, but the soul flitters out like a dream and flies away. Therefore you must dream and flies away. Therefore you must strive back toward the light again with all strive back toward the light again with all speed; but remember these things for your speed; but remember these things for your wife, so you may tell her hereafter.” wife, so you may tell her hereafter.” (translated by Richmond Lattimore)(translated by Richmond Lattimore)

KatabasisKatabasis – “A Going Down” – “A Going Down”

Only heroes are able to go to Only heroes are able to go to underworld and return (Sumerian underworld and return (Sumerian Enkidu ‘dreamed’ of the underworld)Enkidu ‘dreamed’ of the underworld)

OdysseusOdysseusHeraclesHeraclesOrpheusOrpheusAeneasAeneas

The The KatabasisKatabasis of Heracles of Heracles ““As a twelfth labor Heracles was ordered to bring As a twelfth labor Heracles was ordered to bring

Cerberus from Hades. This creature had three dog Cerberus from Hades. This creature had three dog heads, the tale of a serpent, and heads of different heads, the tale of a serpent, and heads of different kinds of snakes down its back. Before starting kinds of snakes down its back. Before starting after it. Heracles went to Eumolpus at Eleusis, after it. Heracles went to Eumolpus at Eleusis, wishing to be initiated into the mysteries….When wishing to be initiated into the mysteries….When the souls saw him they all fled, except Meleager the souls saw him they all fled, except Meleager and the Gorgon Medusa. Heracles drew his sword and the Gorgon Medusa. Heracles drew his sword at the Gorgon thinking that she was alive, but then at the Gorgon thinking that she was alive, but then learned from Hermes that she was a harmless learned from Hermes that she was a harmless wraith….Wishing to offer blood to the souls, he wraith….Wishing to offer blood to the souls, he slaughtered one of the cattle of Hades….When he slaughtered one of the cattle of Hades….When he asked Pluto for Cerberus, the god invited him to asked Pluto for Cerberus, the god invited him to lead the creature away if he could subdue him lead the creature away if he could subdue him without using the weapons he was carrying.” without using the weapons he was carrying.” (Apollodorus, (Apollodorus, library library 5.12,)5.12,)

The The KatabasisKatabasis of Orpheus of Orpheus ““Making his way through the shadowy tribes and the ghosts of Making his way through the shadowy tribes and the ghosts of

the burried, he came to Proserpina, throned beside the Lord of the burried, he came to Proserpina, throned beside the Lord of the Shadows who rules that dismal domain; and plucking on the Shadows who rules that dismal domain; and plucking on the strings of his lyre, he bagan:’You powers divine of the the strings of his lyre, he bagan:’You powers divine of the subterranean kingdom, where all of mortal creation must one subterranean kingdom, where all of mortal creation must one day sink to our doom, if you will give me permission to tell you day sink to our doom, if you will give me permission to tell you the truth unvarnished by shifty pretenses….I have come here the truth unvarnished by shifty pretenses….I have come here to search for my wife, cut off in the years of her youth when a to search for my wife, cut off in the years of her youth when a viper she trampled discharged venom inside her ankle….As viper she trampled discharged venom inside her ankle….As Orpheus pleaded his cause…he moved the bloodless spirits to Orpheus pleaded his cause…he moved the bloodless spirits to tears….Orpheus was told he could lead her away on one tears….Orpheus was told he could lead her away on one condition: to walk in front and never look back until he had left condition: to walk in front and never look back until he had left the vale of Avernus….Not far to go now; the exit to Earth and the vale of Avernus….Not far to go now; the exit to Earth and the light was ahead! But Orpheus was frightened his love was the light was ahead! But Orpheus was frightened his love was falling behind; he was desperate to see her. He turned and at falling behind; he was desperate to see her. He turned and at once she shrank back into the dark. She stretched out her once she shrank back into the dark. She stretched out her arms to him, struggled to feel his hands on her own, but all arms to him, struggled to feel his hands on her own, but all she was able to catch, poor soul, was the yielding air.” (Ovid, she was able to catch, poor soul, was the yielding air.” (Ovid, MetamorphosesMetamorphoses, 10.13-58. Trans. D. Braeburn, 2004), 10.13-58. Trans. D. Braeburn, 2004)

Ideas about sin and punishmentIdeas about sin and punishmentafter deathafter death

evolved over time.evolved over time.No punishment for the sins of mortals.No punishment for the sins of mortals.Only some famous mythical figures Only some famous mythical figures

were punished for sins after death (i.e. were punished for sins after death (i.e. Tantalus, Sisyphus, Tityos, Ixion).Tantalus, Sisyphus, Tityos, Ixion).

Later writers connect the behavior of Later writers connect the behavior of the living with punishment after death.the living with punishment after death.

Sin and PunishmentSin and PunishmentHomer, Homer, OdysseyOdyssey 11.568-593 11.568-593

““Then I saw Minos son of Jove with his golden sceptre Then I saw Minos son of Jove with his golden sceptre in his hand sitting in judgement on the dead, and the in his hand sitting in judgement on the dead, and the ghosts were gathered sitting and standing round him ghosts were gathered sitting and standing round him in the spacious house of Hades, to learn his sentences in the spacious house of Hades, to learn his sentences upon them…. And I saw upon them…. And I saw TityusTityus son of Gaia stretched son of Gaia stretched upon the plain and covering some nine acres of upon the plain and covering some nine acres of ground. Two vultures on either side of him were ground. Two vultures on either side of him were digging their beaks into his liver, and he kept on digging their beaks into his liver, and he kept on trying to beat them off with his hands, but could not; trying to beat them off with his hands, but could not; for he had violated Jove's mistress Leto as she was for he had violated Jove's mistress Leto as she was going through Panopeus on her way to Pytho…. I saw going through Panopeus on her way to Pytho…. I saw also the dreadful fate of also the dreadful fate of TantalusTantalus, who stood in a , who stood in a lake that reached his chin; he was dying to quench his lake that reached his chin; he was dying to quench his thirst, but could never reach the water, for whenever thirst, but could never reach the water, for whenever the poor creature stooped to drink, it dried up and the poor creature stooped to drink, it dried up and vanished, so that there was nothing but dry ground- vanished, so that there was nothing but dry ground- parched by the spite of heaven. parched by the spite of heaven.

continuedcontinued There were tall trees, moreover, that shed their There were tall trees, moreover, that shed their

fruit over his head- pears, pomegranates, apples, fruit over his head- pears, pomegranates, apples, sweet figs and juicy olives, but whenever the poor sweet figs and juicy olives, but whenever the poor creature stretched out his hand to take some, the creature stretched out his hand to take some, the wind tossed the branches back again to the wind tossed the branches back again to the clouds…. And I saw clouds…. And I saw Sisyphus Sisyphus at his endless task at his endless task raising his prodigious stone with both his hands. raising his prodigious stone with both his hands. With hands and feet he' tried to roll it up to the top With hands and feet he' tried to roll it up to the top of the hill, but always, just before he could roll it of the hill, but always, just before he could roll it over on to the other side, its weight would be too over on to the other side, its weight would be too much for him, and the pitiless stone would come much for him, and the pitiless stone would come thundering down again on to the plain. Then he thundering down again on to the plain. Then he would begin trying to push it up hill again, and the would begin trying to push it up hill again, and the sweat ran off him and the steam rose after him.”sweat ran off him and the steam rose after him.”

TantalusTantalus

http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/gallery/tantalus.jpg

TantalusWilli GlasauerPencil drawing, 1864

The Punishment of TantalusThe Punishment of Tantalus ““The punishment suffered by Tantalos in The punishment suffered by Tantalos in

Hades is to have a stone suspended over Hades is to have a stone suspended over him, and remain perpetually in a lake, him, and remain perpetually in a lake, seeing at either side of his shoulders fruit-seeing at either side of his shoulders fruit-laden trees growing by its banks; the water laden trees growing by its banks; the water grazes his chin, but when he wants to drink grazes his chin, but when he wants to drink from it, the water dries up, and when he from it, the water dries up, and when he wants to feed from the fruit, the trees and wants to feed from the fruit, the trees and their frits are raised by the winds as high as their frits are raised by the winds as high as the clouds. It is said by some tht he suffers the clouds. It is said by some tht he suffers this punishment because he divulged the this punishment because he divulged the secrets of the gods to men and tried to secrets of the gods to men and tried to share ambrosia with his friends.” share ambrosia with his friends.” (Apollodorus, (Apollodorus, the Librarythe Library 12.2) 12.2)

SisyphosSisyphos

Athenian black-figure clay vase, about 510 BC. Leiden, National Museum of Antiquities PC 49 © National Museum of Antiquities

www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/CGPrograms/Dict/ASP/Open...

The Punishment of SisyphusThe Punishment of SisyphusApollodorus 2.9.3 Apollodorus 2.9.3

““Sisyphus undergoes the punishment in Hades of Sisyphus undergoes the punishment in Hades of rolling a rock with his hands and head in an rolling a rock with his hands and head in an attempt to roll it over the top of a hill; but attempt to roll it over the top of a hill; but however hard he pushes it, it forces its way back however hard he pushes it, it forces its way back down again. He suffers this punishment because down again. He suffers this punishment because of Aegina, daughter of Asopos; for Zeus had of Aegina, daughter of Asopos; for Zeus had carried her off in secret, and Sisyphos is said to carried her off in secret, and Sisyphos is said to have revealed this to Asopos, who went in search have revealed this to Asopos, who went in search of her.” (R. Hard)of her.” (R. Hard)

Apollodorus was a Greek mythographer who lived Apollodorus was a Greek mythographer who lived in the 2in the 2ndnd century BCE century BCE

Important: note how he connects his punishment Important: note how he connects his punishment to his crime.to his crime.

TityosTityosTitian, 1549Titian, 1549

www.latein-pagina.de/ovid/ovid_m4.htm

The Punishment of TityosThe Punishment of TityosApollodorus, 1.4.1Apollodorus, 1.4.1

““Now when Leto came to Pytho, she Now when Leto came to Pytho, she was seen by Tityos, who was was seen by Tityos, who was overcome by desire and seized her in overcome by desire and seized her in his arms; but she called her children his arms; but she called her children to her aid, and they shot him down to her aid, and they shot him down with their arrows.Tityos suffers with their arrows.Tityos suffers punishment even after his death, for punishment even after his death, for vultures feed on his heart in Hades.” vultures feed on his heart in Hades.” (trsl. R. Hard)(trsl. R. Hard)

IxionIxion

www.zikaden.de/ungedruckt/Ixion%20der%20Mensc...

The Punishment of IxionThe Punishment of IxionApollodorus, 3.16.20Apollodorus, 3.16.20

““Ixion conceived a passion for Hera and Ixion conceived a passion for Hera and tried to take her by force. Hera tried to take her by force. Hera reported the matter to Zeus, and Zeus, reported the matter to Zeus, and Zeus, wanting to know whether it was really wanting to know whether it was really the case, fashioned a cloud in Hera’s the case, fashioned a cloud in Hera’s likeness and laid it down beside Ixion. likeness and laid it down beside Ixion. When Ixion boasted that he had slept When Ixion boasted that he had slept with Hera, Zeus fastened him to a with Hera, Zeus fastened him to a wheel on which, as a punishment, he is wheel on which, as a punishment, he is whirled through the air by the force of whirled through the air by the force of the winds.” the winds.”

Ovid Ovid MetamorphosesMetamorphoses, 4.456-463, 4.456-463

““She had come to the House of the Damned: She had come to the House of the Damned: here was the giant Tityos, sprawling across here was the giant Tityos, sprawling across nine acres, guts exposed to the vultures. nine acres, guts exposed to the vultures. There was Tantalus, failing to drink any There was Tantalus, failing to drink any water or seize the elusive fruit-tree above water or seize the elusive fruit-tree above him; Sisyphus, pushing or chasing the rock him; Sisyphus, pushing or chasing the rock which keeps rolling downwards; Ixion, which keeps rolling downwards; Ixion, pursuing and running away from himself on pursuing and running away from himself on his wheel; and Danaus’ daughters, who his wheel; and Danaus’ daughters, who dared to murder their cousin husbands, dared to murder their cousin husbands, always refilling their jars with water, but always refilling their jars with water, but only to lose it.” (Trans. D. Raeburn, 2004)only to lose it.” (Trans. D. Raeburn, 2004)

Virgil, Virgil, AeneidAeneid 6.57-253 6.57-253 ““Here voices and loud lamentations echo: the souls of Here voices and loud lamentations echo: the souls of

infants weeping at the very first threshold – torn away infants weeping at the very first threshold – torn away by the black day, deprived of their sweet life, ripped by the black day, deprived of their sweet life, ripped from the breast, plunged into bitter death. And next to from the breast, plunged into bitter death. And next to them are those condemned to die upon false charges. them are those condemned to die upon false charges. These places have not been assigned, indeed, without a These places have not been assigned, indeed, without a lot, without a judge; for here Minos is magistrate. He lot, without a judge; for here Minos is magistrate. He shakes the urn and calls on the assembly to be silent, to shakes the urn and calls on the assembly to be silent, to learn the lives of men and their misdeeds. The land that learn the lives of men and their misdeeds. The land that lies beyond belongs to those who, although innocent, lies beyond belongs to those who, although innocent, took death by their own hands; hating the light, they took death by their own hands; hating the light, they threw away their lives. But now they long for the upper threw away their lives. But now they long for the upper air, and even to bear want and trials there…..For here air, and even to bear want and trials there…..For here the road divides in two directions: on the right it runs the road divides in two directions: on the right it runs beneath the ramparts of Great Dis, this is our highway beneath the ramparts of Great Dis, this is our highway to Elysium; the wicked are punished on the left – that to Elysium; the wicked are punished on the left – that path leads to godless Tartarus.path leads to godless Tartarus.

…….Aeneas suddenly looks back: beneath a rock upon his .Aeneas suddenly looks back: beneath a rock upon his left he sees a broad fortress encircled by a triple wall left he sees a broad fortress encircled by a triple wall and girdled by a rapid flood of flames that rage: and girdled by a rapid flood of flames that rage: Tartarean Phlegethon whirling resounding rocks….there Tartarean Phlegethon whirling resounding rocks….there sits Tisiphone, who wears a bloody mantle. She guards sits Tisiphone, who wears a bloody mantle. She guards the entrance, sleepless night and day. Both groans and the entrance, sleepless night and day. Both groans and savage scourgings echo there, and then the clang of savage scourgings echo there, and then the clang of iron and dragging chains….The king of these harsh iron and dragging chains….The king of these harsh realms is Rhadamanthus the Gnosian: he hears men’s realms is Rhadamanthus the Gnosian: he hears men’s crimes and then chastises and compels confession for crimes and then chastises and compels confession for those guilts that anyone, rejoicing, hid – but uselessly – those guilts that anyone, rejoicing, hid – but uselessly – within the world above, delaying his atonement until within the world above, delaying his atonement until too late, beyond the time of death. Tisiphone is at once too late, beyond the time of death. Tisiphone is at once the avenger, armed with whips; she leaps upon the the avenger, armed with whips; she leaps upon the guilty, lashing them; in her left hand she grips her guilty, lashing them; in her left hand she grips her gruesome vipers and calls her savage company of gruesome vipers and calls her savage company of sisters.” sisters.”

Much Later TraditionsMuch Later TraditionsDante Alighieri – The Divine ComedyDante Alighieri – The Divine Comedy

““I’m here to ship you to the other side, to I’m here to ship you to the other side, to burning, freezing, to eternal burning, freezing, to eternal darkness….Then all those poor exhausted darkness….Then all those poor exhausted naked souls turned pale and shook with naked souls turned pale and shook with trembling chattering teeth, hearing the trembling chattering teeth, hearing the bitter words that told their fate. They cursed bitter words that told their fate. They cursed their god, the parents who begat them, their their god, the parents who begat them, their race, the time and place of their conception; race, the time and place of their conception; they cursed the day on which they saw the they cursed the day on which they saw the light. And now together, crowded in one light. And now together, crowded in one mass, they drew with screams of pain to the mass, they drew with screams of pain to the cursed shore that waits for every man that cursed shore that waits for every man that fears not God.” (fears not God.” (InfernoInferno 3. 87-117, Adapted 3. 87-117, Adapted from B. Powell, 1995)from B. Powell, 1995)

Similarities Between Greco-Similarities Between Greco-Roman and Christian UnderworldRoman and Christian Underworld Tartarus located Tartarus located

under the earthunder the earth Place of eternal Place of eternal

darknessdarkness Souls of the dead Souls of the dead

exist as shadesexist as shades Punishment and Punishment and

despairdespair

Hell located under Hell located under the earththe earth

Place of eternal Place of eternal darknessdarkness

Souls exist as Souls exist as shadesshades

Punishment and Punishment and despairdespair

Connecting With the DeadConnecting With the Dead The dead communicate with the living:The dead communicate with the living: 1. by Dreams 1. by Dreams 2. Through appropriate ritual, 2. Through appropriate ritual, 3. When visited directly (i.e. Katabasis)3. When visited directly (i.e. Katabasis)

Connecting with the dead Connecting with the dead (Odyssey)(Odyssey)

““Here Perimedes and Eurylochus held the victims, Here Perimedes and Eurylochus held the victims, while I drew my sword and dug the trench a cubit each while I drew my sword and dug the trench a cubit each way. I made a drink-offering to all the dead, first with way. I made a drink-offering to all the dead, first with honey and milk, then with wine, and thirdly with water, honey and milk, then with wine, and thirdly with water, and I sprinkled white barley meal over the whole, and I sprinkled white barley meal over the whole, praying earnestly to the poor feckless ghosts, and praying earnestly to the poor feckless ghosts, and promising them that when I got back to Ithaca I would promising them that when I got back to Ithaca I would sacrifice a barren heifer for them, the best I had, and sacrifice a barren heifer for them, the best I had, and would load the pyre with good things. I also would load the pyre with good things. I also particularly promised that Teiresias should have a particularly promised that Teiresias should have a black sheep to himself, the best in all my flocks. When black sheep to himself, the best in all my flocks. When I had prayed sufficiently to the dead, I cut the throats I had prayed sufficiently to the dead, I cut the throats of the two sheep and let the blood run into the trench, of the two sheep and let the blood run into the trench, whereon the ghosts came trooping up from Erebus- whereon the ghosts came trooping up from Erebus- brides, young bachelors, old men worn out with toil, brides, young bachelors, old men worn out with toil, maids who had been crossed in love, and brave men maids who had been crossed in love, and brave men who had been killed in battle, with fear. who had been killed in battle, with fear.

their armour still smirched with blood; they their armour still smirched with blood; they came from every quarter and flitted round came from every quarter and flitted round the trench with a strange kind of screaming the trench with a strange kind of screaming sound that made me turn pale with When I sound that made me turn pale with When I saw them coming I told the men to be quick saw them coming I told the men to be quick and flay the carcasses of the two dead and flay the carcasses of the two dead sheep and make burnt offerings of them, sheep and make burnt offerings of them, and at the same time to repeat prayers to and at the same time to repeat prayers to Hades and to Proserpine; but I sat where I Hades and to Proserpine; but I sat where I was with my sword drawn and would not let was with my sword drawn and would not let the poor feckless ghosts come near the the poor feckless ghosts come near the blood till Teiresias should have answered blood till Teiresias should have answered my questions.”my questions.”

(Homer, (Homer, OdysseyOdyssey 11. 23ff 11. 23ff

Reward After Death?Reward After Death?

Concept evolves gradually.Concept evolves gradually. No reward for “good” mortals exists after No reward for “good” mortals exists after

death in the Homeric world.death in the Homeric world. ElysiumElysium was only for children of gods and was only for children of gods and

goddesses.goddesses. Only Later mythographers describe Only Later mythographers describe

rewards for a good liferewards for a good life

Reward or HeavenReward or Heaven

““But for you, Menalaos, O fostered of But for you, Menalaos, O fostered of Zeus, it is not the gods’ will that you shall Zeus, it is not the gods’ will that you shall die and go to your end in horse-pasturing die and go to your end in horse-pasturing Argos, but the immortals will convoy you Argos, but the immortals will convoy you to the Elysian Field, and the limits of the to the Elysian Field, and the limits of the earth, where fair-haired Rhadamanthys is, earth, where fair-haired Rhadamanthys is, where there is made the easiest life for where there is made the easiest life for mortals, for there is no snow, nor much mortals, for there is no snow, nor much winter there, but always the stream of winter there, but always the stream of Ocean sends up breezes of the West Wind Ocean sends up breezes of the West Wind blowing briskly for the refreshment of blowing briskly for the refreshment of mortals. This, because Helen is yours and mortals. This, because Helen is yours and you are son-in-law therefore to Zeus.” you are son-in-law therefore to Zeus.” (Homer, (Homer, OdysseyOdyssey. 4.561-570. . 4.561-570.