Before the world and heavens were formed, Earth was nothing more than an abyss of shadows and formless bulk. Ruling over this mass was Chaos, a god of carelessness and indescribable characteristics. Beside him is Nyx, goddess of the night and his wife. After their strength wanes they give rule to Erebus, or Darkness. When Gæa and Uranus brought about the heavens and land, the children of Nyx left to reside in Hades.
Hades, or also known as the Underworld, is where mortals would go upon death. The gates of entry were speculated to reside at Avernus. The sacred river Styx, used for swearing oaths amongst the gods, divided the lands of the living and dead. Guarding the gates was Cerberus, the large three-headed dog. Though it was possible to enter, leaving Hades was unimaginable.
If the proper toll is paid, which was a coin placed in the mouth of the deceased, one is ferried by the boatman Charon over the Acheron. The realm itself is ruled by Pluto, brother of Jupiter and Neptune. Beside him on the throne is Proserpine, maiden of spring and daughter of Crete. Never far away from them, the three Fates hover over the Thread of Life and wait for when it is a mortal’s time to die. Upon arrival, a mortal is judged based on the deeds in their life and is either sent to the blessed paradise in Elysium, or the pits of torment in Tartarus.
A Dive into the Underworld
A Dive into the Underworld
By Ceph Plaisance
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