The Underworld

According to ancient Greek mythology, Hades was the ruler of the Underworld. Along with his brother Zeus, who ruled the earth, and his brother Poseidon, who ruled the seas, he helped keep order by ruling the world of the dead. Hades’ world was separated from his brothers’ worlds by various rivers.

One important fact about the Underworld is no one could enter without crossing the River Styx. This crossing was an important part of the journey for the newly dead. To cross the river, the passengers had to ride a ferry, but the ride was not free. Every passenger would have to pay the ferryman a coin. To provide for this passage, people of the ancient world were often buried with a coin placed in their mouths so they would have the money they needed when they reached the river.

Another important part of the Underworld was the guard dog Cerberus. Cerberus was a three-headed watchdog. Once the dead entered the Underworld, the creature’s job was to make sure they never left.

Finally, those who entered the Underworld were separated by the judges of the dead. Every soul would be sent to spend eternity based on these judgments. Those who were rewarded were sent to the Elysian Fields. Those who did not deserve rewards in the afterlife were sent to Tartarus, a place of eternal punishment.