Descriptions of the Underworld
Across mythology that involves heroes and Gods venturing to the underworld, most agree that the Underworld is a cold, shadowy and dark place filled with ghosts and an overall heaviness and sorrow. While scholars disagree on the exact locations of the entrances, most lore points to it being in deep caverns surrounded by even deeper bodies of water. This is supported by the fact that the Underworld is divided by 5 main rivers; Acheron (Woe), Cocytus (Lamentation), Lethe (Forgetfulness), Phlegethon (Fire) and the famed River Styx. Within this division lies the 5 main resting places a soul may enter; Erebus (the entrance) where all souls go immediately following death; the Fields of Mourning where those who die of suicide rest; Tartarus for the wicked who will be tortured for all eternity; Elusyian Fields for the good and great and finally Hades’ Palace where he (and for 4 months of the year his bride) reigns.
Rivers of the Underworld
Acheron
The River of Woe
Th e physical barrier between the land of the living and of the deceased. It is believed that none can cross it, keeping the two worlds separate.
Cocytus
The River of Lamentation
This river was specifically for the punishment of murderers. Its waters were freezing cold and filled with the terrified and horribly sorrowful voices of those who died at the hands of a murderer. It is believed that drowning was slow and drawn out in this river with many of its victims begging for death long before it arrived.
Lethe
The River of Forgetfulness
In the rare instances where a soul could be brought back from The Underworld, they must drink from the River Lethe. This allowed them to forget their past life and begin anew.
Phlegethon
The River of Fire
Another river of punishment, this river which connects directly to Tartarus is said to boil its victims during the drowning process as a punishment for the truly wicked.
River Styx
The Holy River
The largest and most notable river in The Underworld. It is to circle seven times around the outside of the Underworld. For mortals and the deceased, this river is a punishment where one could be sentenced to drown over and over again as part of paying for their crimes. For the Gods, the River Styx is a holy place, where new gods, demi-gods and the children of deities are baptized as well as on which unbreakable oaths are sworn.
Sections of Hades
Erberus
The first stop a soul makes in The Underworld. All souls, regardless of funeral rites, status, wickedness and whether or not they have payment to board the ferry and enter the gates to The Underworld start in Eberus. For those who do have payment, they board Charon’s ferry and progress to the Gate where they are judged and sentenced to their eternal resting place. For those who do not have payment, they must wander the shores for 100 years before being allowed to board Charon's ferry.
The Fields of Mourning
LThe resting place for those who choose suicide. Here souls are consumed by their own griefs and mourn for eternity over the same issues that caused their suicide. It is described as a lovely but incredibly sad area with open fields and Myrtle trees providing unnecessary shade from a grey sky.
Elusyian Fields
The resting place for the good and the great. Those who were well loved by the gods, valiant heroes and those who did right by the world end up in the Elusyian fields. It is described as a beautiful and peaceful place with large, lush meadows and a soft almost-purple sunset light shining over the souls. The air is described as sweet and life giving, a true paradise of a final resting place.
Tartarus
Resides at the bottom most part of The Underworld. It is reserved for only the most wicked who will be tortured for all eternity. Many of the Titans are trapped right below Tartarus. There are almost no fables that describe the look of Tartarus as most Gods and Heroes fear going down that far however, it is said that horrible sounds can be heard while passing the entrance. Terrible wailing, groans, and cries paired with the sounds of chains and torture devices that make even the strongest of heroes recoil in fear.