| The
Underworld is the
kingdom of the dead. It lies under the earth. It is separated from the
world by five rivers: Acheron (the river of woe), Cocytus (the river of
lamentation), Phlegethon (the river of fire), Lethe (the river of
forgetfulness) and Styx (the river of unbreakable oath).
It is guarded by Cerebus,
the three-headed dog and is ruled over by Hades and Persephone. Upon death,
Hermes escorts
a soul to the entrance of
the underworld. Here, Charon ferries the soul across the river, Acheron.
When they are across the river, the soul meets up with the judges. If the
soul can pay the fare (if coins are placed on their lips when buried),
they may pass through the gates. Otherwise, they are trapped between the
two worlds. Once a soul enters the Underworld, they may never leave. After
entry, the soul meets up with the Judges who sentence the soul either to
everlasting torment or to the Elysian Fields.
|
