" Who knows if to live is to be dead, and to be dead is to live? And we really, it may be, are dead; In fact I once heard Sages say that we are now dead and our body is our tomb..."
Everyone agrees that one day all man will die, however, after that opinions vary greatly. Is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like? The ancient Greeks had very specific views about the afterlife such as traveling to the Elysium Fields, or unfortunately going to Tartarus.
The ancient Greeks believed that to the underworld there are three parts. The Elysium Fields, the Asphodel Meadows, and Tartarus. After death the Greeks believed that the souls must leave the body, and travel to Styx, the river one must cross to enter the realm of the dead. The souls on their way to the underworld must carry a coin under their tongue, as a tribute to pay the boatman who helps the cross the river. After crossing the river one is judged by Rhadanthus, Minos, and Aecus, the three judges who determine where one is to spend eternity.
Once the judgment has occurred three options are open. One is a trip to the Elysium field. This is comparable to "heaven". People who have lived good lives, or heroes travel here. Elysium is a happy place. There are grassy fields, yellow sands, and many people here dance, sing, and chant poems. Reincarnation also occurs in Elysium, but only after drinking from Lethe's stream, where all memory becomes erased. Then many return back to earth.
Next, is the Asphodel Meadows. This is similar to "limbo". It is neither good nor bad. There is always enough to eat and drink. Fortunate ones may even find there loved ones here. For the most part it is bleak and unpleasant here. Many are in a confused and oblivious state in the Asphodel Meadows.
Thirdly, there is Tartarus, which is comparable to "hell". This is a place for people
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