The first known epic poem that features a descent into the underworld is "The Epic of Gilgamesh," which was written in ancient Mesopotamia. The poem follows the hero Gilgamesh as he seeks immortality and ventures into the underworld to seek the secret of eternal life.

Both Persephone's abduction and Odysseus' descent into the underworld involve interactions with the realm of the dead. However, Persephone's abduction deals with her becoming the queen of the underworld, while Odysseus' descent revolves around seeking information and guidance from the dead. Persephone's story is more about transformation and rebirth, whereas Odysseus' journey emphasizes knowledge and the consequences of actions.

They believed that life after death meant a descent into an underworld ruled by the god Nergal. Their ideas about the afterlife was difficult.

Persephone's tragic flaw is her naivety and curiosity. When she was kidnapped by Hades, her curiosity led her to eat pomegranate seeds, binding her to the underworld for part of the year. This cycle of her descent and return to the underworld represents the changing seasons.

a common motif in mythology representing a journey into the depths of the unconscious mind or the realm of the dead. This archetype is often associated with themes of death and rebirth, transformation, and facing one's deepest fears or shadow selves. Examples include the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, Inanna's descent into the underworld, and the journey of Odysseus to Hades.