Blissful Elysium & the Elysian Fields - An area of Hades, the Underworld
Elysium was the blissful, beautiful area of Hades, the Underworld where the souls of mortals who had led good lives enjoyed a life of peace and happiness. The Underworld as a whole was the domain of the god Hades and other gods and goddesses associated with the inexplicable, such as death, disease, sleep, ghosts, dreams, witchcraft and enchantments. Hades the Underworld consisted of different areas where the souls of dead mortals resided. The souls of mortals who had led good lives were sent to Elysium and resided in the area called the Elysian Fields. The souls of mortals who had led both good and evil lives on earth were sent to the Asphodel Meadows, where they were faced with endless toil. Those mortals that had led evil lives were confined in the dark depths of Tartarus, in the bowels of the earth, where no ray of sunshine ever appeared and the souls of the wicked suffered endless torture. 
Picture of Elysium (paradise) Definition of Elysium
Definition of Elysium: Elysium was the Ancient Greek paradise originally reserved for the heroes of Greek Mythology to whom the gods had granted immortality. According to ancient Greek mythology Elysium delighted in a perpetual spring and shady groves, with its own sun and lit by its own stars. Elysium was the land of perfect happiness was also the imagined dwelling place for those who had lived a righteous life. Some of the important gods and goddesses of death resided in Elysium living in the golden palace where Hades, the Prince of Darkness and Persephone the Queen of the Underworld presided over their royal court. Other lesser gods resided in the City of Hades which was also located in Elysium. According to mythology Persephone prepared the spirits of worthy women to enter Elysium, strewing flowers along the path she would travel. Definition of the Elysian Fields
Definition of the Elysian Fields: The Elysian Fields was the blissful, peaceful place inhabited by those who were favored by the gods and where virtuous souls came to rest. In a secluded vale of the Elysian Fields flowed the gentle River Lethe (meaning oblivion), whose waters had the effect of dispelling care, and producing total forgetfulness of former events. In the Elysian Fields the air was always balmy and fragrant, rippling streams flowed peacefully through the golden meadows, which glowed with the colors of a thousand flowers and resounded with the beautiful songs of birds. The inhabitants of the Elysian Fields amused themselves with their favorite pastimes, free of toils and troubles. Gaining entry into Elysium and the Elysian Fields
The imaginary domain of the Underworld, with its different provinces, including Elysium and the Elysian Fields, was believed to be located in a subterranean region, that was the world of the dead where all souls passed after their time on earth. Elysium and the Elysian Fields were lit by its own sun and stars was the least feared of all the realms as it promised everlasting happiness. However, before gaining entrance to Elysium, the Ancient Greek paradise, and everlasting life in the Elysian Fields mortals had to cross over into Hades, the Underworld and face the judgement of their mortal lives. |
