The Underworld and Roman Mythology

Cocytus

The River of Lamentation/Weeping in the Underworld

Lethe

River of Forgetfulness in the Underworld from which souls had to drink in order to forget their past lives

Acheron

River of Woe surrounding the upper levels of the Underworld, in some versions of the story.

Phlegethon

River of Fire which surrounds the deepest parts of the Underworld

Tartarus

Deepest pit in the Underworld. place of eternal punishment

Elysium

Land of the Heroes in the Underworld

Cerberus

(Giant) three-headed hound that guards the innermost gates to the Underworld

Pluto

God of the Underworld and Lord of the realm of the Dead. Brother of Jupiter and Neptune. (Greek Hades.)

Mercury

Roman messenger god who guided the spirits of the dead to the Underworld.

Charon

Ferryman of the Underworld who carried souls of the Dead across the river Styx

Proserpina

daughter of Ceres; Queen of the Underworld, at least part of the year. (Persephone in Greek)

Sisyphus

Greek king who tried to cheat death; condemned to push a huge boulder up a hill forever

Tantalus

Greek king who tried to deceive the Gods; punished by eternal hunger and thirst while surrounded by food and water in the Underworld.

Ixion

Greek king who had offended Jupiter; punished by crucifixion on a spinning, burning wheel in the Underworld

Hercules

Legendary Greek hero who traveled to the Underworld to retrieve Cerberus as the last of his 12 labors. Literally conquered Death.

Styx

Ancients SWORE by this river; Charon the ferryman carried dead souls on their way to Pluto across this river.

Mīnōs

Once the King of Crete, he was one of 3 judges in the Underworld who decided the eternal fate of souls.

Eurydice

beautiful bride of Orpheus who was taken from him by Pluto. She was lost as they approached the light of day.

Orpheus

greatest singer of all time who tried to bring his bride Eurydice back from Death with his sweet singing, but failed

Achilles

as an infant, was dipped in the river...except on his heel!