Chapter 9: Stories of the Underworld Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does Acheron mean?

God of dreams

River of sorrow (correct)

Paradise in the underworld

River of fire

What is Phlegethon?

Three-headed dog

River of fire (correct)

Goddess of witchcraft

River of forgetfulness

What does the Cocytus represent?

God of sleep

Torture place

Goddess of the underworld

River of wailing (correct)

What is the significance of Styx?

First river, right outside the gate Signup and view all the answers

What does Lethe signify?

River of forgetfulness Signup and view all the answers

What is Elysium?

Paradise in the underworld Signup and view all the answers

What is Tartarus known for?

Torture and punishments Signup and view all the answers

Who is Pluto?

God of the underworld/wealth Signup and view all the answers

Who is Proserpina?

Pluto's wife and goddess of the underworld Signup and view all the answers

What is Charon's role?

Ferryman that takes the newly dead across the Styx Signup and view all the answers

What is Cerberus?

Three-headed dog at the gate Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Furies?

Creatures with serpents in hair, wings, and blood from eyes Signup and view all the answers

Who is Hecate?

Goddess of witchcraft and sorcery Signup and view all the answers

Who is Somnus?

God of sleep Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mors?

Somnus' twin brother, god of death Signup and view all the answers

Who is Morpheus?

God of dreams Signup and view all the answers

What was Tantalus punished for?

He was punished with never-ending hunger and thirst. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ixion known for?

Murdering his father-in-law and rolling in a wheel Signup and view all the answers

Who is Sisyphus?

A figure known for trade, navigation, and committing fraud Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Danaides?

Daughters of Danaus who murdered their husbands Signup and view all the answers

Who is Orpheus?

A musician who ventures to the underworld while still living. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Eurydice?

She died from a snake bite and went to the underworld. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rivers of the Underworld

Acheron: Known as the "river of sorrow" and serves as a passage for souls.
Phlegethon: Symbolizes the "river of fire," representing torment and agony.
Cocytus: Described as the "river of wailing," often depicted as icy, reflecting betrayal and sorrow.
Styx: The first and most significant river, located right outside the gates of the Underworld.
Lethe: The "river of forgetfulness," where drinking its waters leads to complete memory loss.

Locations in the Underworld

Acheron (Region): The largest region in the Underworld, where average souls reside after death.
Elysium: A paradise within the Underworld, reserved for the virtuous and heroic souls.
Tartarus: A realm of torture and punishment for wrongdoers, one of the most feared areas.

Deities and Divine Figures

Pluto: The god of the Underworld and wealth, often depicted with a cap of darkness and a magical staff.
Proserpina: Wife of Pluto, associated with the ocean of Hades, and the goddess of the Underworld.

Underworld Guardians and Creatures

Charon: The ferryman who transports newly deceased souls across the Styx, symbolized by a boat and a coin for payment.
Cerberus: The three-headed dog at the gates of the Underworld, often depicted with a dragon-like tail.
Furies: Three avenging spirits with serpents in their hair and wings, known for their fierce retribution and service to Proserpina.

Other Notable Figures

Hecate: The goddess of witchcraft and sorcery, known for bringing frightening visions from the Underworld to Somnus.
Somnus: The god of sleep, representing the realm of dreams and rest.
Mors: Somnus's twin brother, the god of death, characterized by wings and an extinguished torch.
Morpheus: The god of dreams, associated with the realm of sleep and dreams.

Punished Souls and Their Fates

Tantalus: A king punished with eternal hunger and thirst for murdering his son.
Ixion: Condemned to roll on a wheel endlessly after murdering his father-in-law.
Sisyphus: Known for his greed and deceit, he faces eternal struggle in pushing a boulder uphill.
Danaides: Daughters of Danaus who murdered their husbands, endlessly carrying water in a sieve as punishment.
Orpheus: A famous musician who descended to the Underworld while alive to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, but lost her by looking back.
Eurydice: A character whose life ends due to a snake bite, leading her to the Underworld.

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Description

Explore the rivers of the Underworld through these flashcards from Chapter 9. Each card presents a unique term related to the mythological rivers, along with its definition. Perfect for those studying mythology and looking to enhance their understanding of these ancient concepts.