Journeying to the Underworld

Journey to the Underworld Overview

In Greek mythology, the Underworld is often depicted as a dark and dismal place where the souls of the deceased reside.
A journey to the Underworld was believed to be fraught with danger and required special guidance or conditions.
The ruler of the Underworld, Hades, was both respected and feared, as the Lord of the Dead.
The Ferryman Charon took those who could pay across the river Styx, separating the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) was one of the few who accomplished this journey.
His 12th and final labour implanted by Eurystheus was to capture Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the Underworld.
Showing great bravery and strength, Heracles managed to both enter and exit the Underworld and successfully complete his task.

The myth of Orpheus, the legendary musician, also includes a journey to the Underworld.
Grieving the loss of his wife Eurydice, Orpheus descends to the Underworld to bring her back to life.
His music charmed Hades and Persephone, causing them to agree to Eurydice’s return on the condition that Orpheus does not look back at her until they reach the surface. Orpheus ultimately fails, having turned to look at Eurydice just before they left the Underworld.

In Homer’s Odyssey, the hero Odysseus visits the Underworld to seek advice from the spirit of the blind prophet, Tiresias.
In order to speak with Tiresias, Odysseus had to perform a ritual sacrifice and summon the spirits of the dead.
Odysseus met several known figures during his visit to the Underworld, providing unique perspective on their lives and deaths - and insight into the nature of the afterlife in Greek belief.

Journeys to the Underworld are a dominant theme in ancient Greek mythology and represent a boundary between life and death.
They often symbolise a quest for knowledge or redemption, courage in the face of unknown, and the eternal consequence of one’s actions on earth.
These myths provide valuable insights into ancient Greek beliefs about death, the afterlife, and the soul’s journey after death.
Interactions with divinities such as Hades and Persephone in these stories underscore the significance of the gods in every aspect of ancient Greek life.