The+World+Down+Under



The World Down Under By: Camille

Have you ever wondered where you go when you die? No one has a final answer to that question. However, according to Greek Mythology you will find your final resting place in the Underworld. The Underworld is commonly depicted as a place of eternal pain and sorrow; but in reality it is just a dull joyless place. The World of the Dead, or the Underworld, started with a war. The story of Hades begins as a result of the Olympians Titan war. Once the war ended Hades and his two brothers Poseidon and Zeus divided the world between themselves. Poseidon got the sea, Zeus took the sky, and Hades got the Underworld. This is where everything began. Zeus originally captured the Titans and forced them into the Underworld. And not the Elysian Fields either, they were put in Tartarus. Many people have different ideas about what happens in the Underworld and no one knows the exact location. Many people think it is somewhere on Earth, but most believe it is deep, deep down somewhere. Hades began with a war, which literally divided the world. The Underworld is a gloomy place with absolutely no sun, which can be very difficult to reach. The entrance is at a lake called Avernus. Once inside Hades you must cross five rivers. The rivers are: The Cocytus, The Styx, The Acheron, The Phlegethon, and The Lethe. These rivers each stand for something: the Phlegethon is the river of fire, and the Acheron is the river of woe. Each river has a specific purpose in your journey. The Lethe River represents forgetfulness. The dead need to drink from this river to forget their previous life. This is the last separation between Earth and The Underworld, the final river that needs to be crossed. After all of the rivers have been crossed, you will come to a large gate. That is where the kingdom officially begins. There you will be judged. After one has been judged, their final resting place has been decided, and that is where they remain until the end of time.("The Underworld Rivers"). The Netherworld is where the majority of people go after their death. There are two main places where one must eternally rest, one being Erebus. Erebus is the upper region of the Netherworld, and consists of two separate places. The Plain of Asphodel, and the Elysian Fields. In The Plain of Asphodel, where most mortals go, you have absolutely no recollections of your previous life. The Plain of Asphodel is full of nothingness; there is no pain, sorrow, nor joy. Zeus’ son Rhadamanthys is the Ruler of the Elysian Fields. The Elysian Fields is where one would strive to go but it might take as many as three lifetimes to get there. This is because, the Elysian Fields are very hard to enter, and the gods need to like you a lot in order for you to get there. To get the gods on your side you must practice abstinence, not eat meat, or drink wine. Not doing these things pay off in the end. Unlike the Plain of Asphodel the Elysian Fields are full of happiness; and the people there can remember their old lives. Now, the second region of the Netherworld is deep, deep down. It takes nine days to reach it from the Earth. This place is called Tartarus. Tartarus is a prison like place, around the border is a huge fence. Inside Tartarus you will find people that Zeus has imprisoned; they are in Abode of the Accursed. Tartarus is a deep, scary place. It is not where anyone would choose to be.("House of Hades"). Where a person goes is determined by the how they lead their life on Earth, but ultimately the three judges decide. The three judges are all Zeus’ sons: Aeacus, Rhadamanthys, and Minos. These three judges make their decision based on their wisdom, justice, and pity. They decide which region one will spend the rest of their time in. Erebus is where a person would want to go especially to the Elysian Fields. In order to accomplish that, they must have lead a very good life on Earth. The gods would have noticed that and got them in. On the other hand, if the person has lead a life full of evil, they are going to end up in Tartarus. This would not be ideal at all, people in Tartus are torched. The life a person lives on Earth is going to affect where they rest, and it is up to the judges to decide.("House of Hades"). The Underworld is full of many gods, but the rulers are very clear. Hades and his wife Persephone rule The Underworld. They rule at the House of Hades, which is their palace. Persephone was not always the ruler, she was chosen so to speak. Persephone was a bright, happy woman who was the goddess of corns, fruits, and flowers. One day she was in a meadow when Hades came along, and fell in love with her. Hades came from the Earth captured her, and forced her to be the queen of his world. However, Persephone did not quite feel the same way about Hades; she wanted to get out of The Underworld as soon as possible. Hades was not fond of Persephone leaving so he came up with a plan to get her to stay. Either Hades or Hermes, no one is clear on who it was, gave her a magical pomegranate. When Persephone ate the pomegranate, it forced her to stay in The Underworld for one-third of each year, for all eternity. That was that, together Persephone and Hades ruled The Underworld. ("Greek Mythology"). The World of the Dead is a tedious, lifeless place. They are dead, together they remain somewhere under the world. Is this all just a story made up by someone? Or does The Underworld really exist? Depending on what you believe this information could pertain to you. After all, no one knows, for sure what lies on the other side of the rainbow.

Works Cited:

Harrell, Jeremy "BLOOD TIES IN THE UNDERWORLD." //American Theatre// 20.7 (2003): 9. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. EBSCO. Web. 3 Dec. 2009. " House of Hades ." //Timeless Myths//. Web. 3 Dec. 2009. "Greek Mythology." //Greek Mythology//. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. <[|http://www.greekmythology.com]>. “The Underworld Rivers” Spiffy Entertainment. Web.10 Dec. 2009.< []>