Question:
Creatures in the Ancient Greek Underworld?
?
2011-06-16 21:40:57 UTC
What were the creatures that lived specifically in the Hades? Can be spirits or just creatures, doesn't really matter.
Thanks in advance
Seven answers:
Alexandros
2011-06-16 22:56:16 UTC
Of most of the monsters which were killed by various heroes, their shades or spirits were placed at the gate of the Underworld by its king Haides (Hades) to help Kerberos (Cerberus) the three-headed watchdog of the realm to guard this gate. These dead monsters were Kerberos’ brothers the two-headed hellhound Orthos, and the triple-bodied monster called the Khimaira (Chimaera), as well as the Sphinx, the Nemeian Lion, the Kithaironian Lion, the Caucasian Eagle (or hawk or vulture), the Krommyonian Sow, the Hydra of Lerna and the dragon Ladon.



One might say that all the deities of the Underworld were spirits, including its king Haides (Hades) himself, and its queen, Haides niece and wife Persephone. Next to them the most famous spirit of the realm was Kharon, the rugged old boatman who ferried the shades of dead human beings to the court of Haides where they were judged.



Hermes Khthonios (Underworld Hermes), who conducted the shades of the dead into the Underworld; the night-goddess Nyx and her sons Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death); the three Moirai, the goddesses of fate and destiny; Hekate, the Titan goddess of witchcraft; and the ancient Titans who were overthrown by Zeus, among whom was Zeus’ father Kronos, were all thought to dwell in the Underworld. Erebos, the personification of primeval darkness, filled the entire realm of Haides with himself.



The Keres, a coven of goddesses who personified violent death and demise through disease, daughters of Nyx and sisters of Hypnos and Thanatos, also lived in the Underworld. The 1,000 Oneiroi (Dreams), sons of Hypnos and Nyx, lived there also, as did Epiales, a nightmare-demon who may have been related to the Oneiroi or was one of them himself. Eurynomos was a demon of the Underworld who stripped corpses of their flesh, and perhaps was also related to Nyx’s children if he wasn’t one of them himself.



Monstrous demonesses called the Empousai (Empusae) were the daughters and attendants of Hekate. Underworld nymphs called the Lampades, who carried flaming torches wherever they went, also accompanied Hekate together with a pack of hellhounds from the River Styx. I imagine these dogs weren’t too much different from Kerberos and Orthos, and perhaps had similar origins. The Arai, evil spirits who personified curses, also dwelt in the Underworld, from which witches, the servants of Hekate, would summon them when they wished to curse a person. Vampire-like demonesses called the Lamiai, and another one called Mormolykeia, were also associated with Hekate and the land of the dead.



The Underworld had five main rivers, among which the Styx was personified as a goddess, and the Akheron and Kokytos were personified as gods. Askalaphos, who used to be Haides’ gardener, was the son of Akheron. Askalaphos’ mother, called Orphne or Gorgyra, was a nymph of this realm. Minthe, a lover of Haides who was transformed into the mint plant, was a Naiad (river-nymph) and daughter of Kokytos.



Haides’ herdsman Menoites and his father Keuthynomos were spirits of the Underworld.



Leuke or Leukippe and Daeira were Oceanides of the Underworld.



Makaria, the goddess of the blessed dead, was the daughter of Haides and Persephone.



The demoness Melinœ, daughter of Zeus and Persephone, was a creature of the Underworld.



Tartaros was the personification of the deepest part of the Underworld, the Abyss in which the Titans and all sinners were imprisoned. The River Tartaros which flowed in this deep chasm was also personified as a god.



The spirits of the prophets Amphiaraos and Trophonios had oracles respectively at Oropous and Lebadeia, both in Boiotia. The spirits themselves were believed to dwell in the Underworld.



The three judges of the dead, Aiakos, Minos and Rhadamanthys, all dead sons of Zeus, were spirits of the Underworld.
?
2016-12-30 11:56:55 UTC
Ancient Greek Creatures
?
2016-10-06 07:36:20 UTC
Greek Underworld
anonymous
2015-08-06 22:58:55 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Creatures in the Ancient Greek Underworld?

What were the creatures that lived specifically in the Hades? Can be spirits or just creatures, doesn't really matter.

Thanks in advance
anonymous
2011-06-16 21:56:34 UTC
When Odysseus goes to Hades to see Agamemnon, no animals are mentioned - just the dead people who come out to drink the blood he's left them.
Kelsey
2011-06-16 21:43:22 UTC
I guess the most notable is Cerberus, Hades' three-headed dog. That's all I've ever heard of, though.
?
2016-04-03 11:47:26 UTC
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Though i also like Persephone, my favorite would have to be, without doubt Nyx (pronounced Nicks) Nyx is the Goddess of the Night, She was born of Chaos (air) and was one an ancient Protogenoi which is one of the first Elemental gods / goddesses. She is usually protrayed as the very substance of night. They also usally show her having wings with a crown of dark mist around her head. All the other gods fear her. Her appearance in greek myth are sparse, but she is said to be on of the strongest of the gods with exceptional beauty. This is from the Iliad : [Hypnos addresses Hera :] `That time I laid to sleep the brain in Zeus of the aegis and drifted upon him still and soft, but your mind was devising evil, and you raised along the sea the blasts of the racking winds, and on these swept him away to Kos, the strong-founded, with all his friends lost, but Zeus awakened in anger and beat the gods up and down his house, looking beyond all others for me, and would have sunk me out of sight in the sea from the bright sky had not Nyx (Night) who has power over gods and men rescued me. I reached her in my flight, and Zeus let be, though he was angry, in awe of doing anything to swift Nyx' displeasure.'" Nyx was the Mother of these Gods and Goddesses : Aither-Upper Air, Herema-Day ; Eeos-Sexual Desire ; Ouranos-Sky, Heaven ; The Astra-Wandering Stars, Planets ; Moros-Doom, Destiny-Death ; Ker (the Keres)-Death Spirits, Doom, Heart ; Thanatos –Death ; Hypnos-Sleep ; The Oneiroi-Dream ; Momos-Mockery, Blame, Ridicule, Scorn ; Oizys-Misery, Woe, Distress ; Hesperides-Of The Evening ; The Moirae-The Fates ; Nemesis-Dispenser of Dues ; Apate-Deceit, Deception, Fraud, Guile ; Philotes-Friendship, Affection ; Geras-Old Age ; Eris-Stife, Discord ; Sophrosyne-Moderation, Self-Control, Restraint, ; Epiphron Prudence, Care ; Hybris-Insolence, Violence, Outrage, Arrogance ; Euphrosyne-Good Cheer, Mirth, Merriment ; Eleos-Mercy, Pity, Compassion ; Styx-Hated, Abhorrent, Gloomy ; Dolos-Cunning, Deceit, Trickery ; Deimos- Dread, Fear, Terror, Panic ; Ponos-Labor, Toil, Hardship ; The Erinyes- Dark, Murky, Misty Ones ; Hecate-Workers From Afar ; Porphyrion ; Epaphos ; Obstinancia I loved her so much i named my baby kitten after her (my kitten is pure black) and I wrote a poem about her. (Some of it is completely fictional, though so keep that in mind as you read it) Here is the poem. Enjoy : Nyx I am the immortal voice of Night I hold all mortals within My sight The Moon and Stars both beckon to Me I am the Goddess, Nyx, you see. Yes I am Nyx, Immortal Queen My Vengeance is swift, my perception is keen Born from Chaos, Elemental Mother of Moirae I set the foundation on which creation does lay Hypnos and Thánatos are children of Mine I rule over all that are of My line I belong to none for I am one with the Night Nothing can control Me, nothing has that right. Creatures of Darkness are in My care I alone control how they fare I am Nyx, listen well what I say Abide in Me not, and ye shall pay My memory is long, and I seldom forgive Cross Me just once and ye shall wish not to live Night Creatures and Dark Ones I protect If ever My Demons show them neglect I cast them out for Hemera to find Forcing them to leave all darkness behind Disrespect is not tolerated at all Show it any and from My Grace ye shall fall My family shall do as they are told They shall give Honor to their Old. For I am Fierce, Proud, and Strong Not with Me can there be found one wrong To run a kingdom you must be Wise No one, god or mortal, can reach My size I am Ancient, Everlasting, Devine My beauty is not one any can outshine. And I am not all bad I assure thee now I am easy to pleasure once ye know how Give the Nocturnal the respect We are due Kill not the Innocent, and hurt very few Live by the code of moral decree Harm ye none and live full and free Submit to me and My arms shall be thy keep Incubus and Succubus shall watch over thy sleep For a mortal once agreed to My law. And in this human I found not one flaw So I blessed him, made him Vampye The Night is now a part of him, like flame is to fire My Vampyes are very dear heart, The path I created they will never depart Even some other mortals now walk in My way My beautiful Goths turned away from the day For I grant My cold kiss of black beauty To all those who to Me do their duty Only those who cherish Me will know its touch Once given, I warn thee, do not abandon My crutch! And if ever any of these rule ye break I will set Dolos upon you and your peace I shall take I shall be thy worst Fear come to life When I also call Eris, My child of Strife Oizys shall be brutal, Deimos shall give Me Delight Ye will roe the moment ye turned away from the Night Making a foe of Me is a folly I hold the power to cause thy heart Melancholy So turn not thy back when Shadow prevails My Dark Children will care not for thy wails Staying safe in Aither shall not protect thee for long I, Nyx, will come for ye And repay thee for thy wrong So with this knowledge ye have a choice Ye, too, can become a part of My voice For I am Nyx, The Goddess of the Night And I hold all mortal within my sight. hope you enjoyed the poem, and the information about Nyx. My your life's journey be fulfilling. "To thine own self be true"


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