What is the Greek Underworld like?

Answer 1

The Greek Underworld, called "Hades" after the Greek God of The Underworld, or "The Realm of Hades", was the resting place of all dead mortals. It was divided into several distinct sections, each with it's own resident souls divided according to their deeds while still alive.

The "Asphodel Meadows" was where "ordinary" souls, which is to say the souls of mortals who were not especially evil or especially good, were sent after death. It is described as a land of "utter neutrality", and in some sources as a place were individuality is lost and the soul un-endingly carries on with daily tasks.

"Tartarus" was similar to the Christian concept of Hell, and was a place of judgment and punishment. Originally, in earlier myths, Tartarus was a place of imprisonment for those who were considered dangerous by the Olympian Gods. For example, many Titans, including Cronus, where improsined in Tartarus by the Olympians. In later mythologies, however, Tartarus also became a place of punishment for some evil mortals. For example, Sisyphus, King of Ephyra and legendary deciever, was sentenced to lift a boulder up a large hill, only to see it roll back down, and was to repeat this for all eternity.

Finally, "Elysium" was said to be the final resting place of the heroic and virtuous. It is described as a place of eternal bliss and happiness, and is the Greek analog to the Christian concept of Heaven.