Greek Underworld Research Paper

In Greek Mythology, Hermes is a great example of the trickster archetype. Hermes was a Greek god and also son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia. Hermes is known mainly as the messenger of the gods on Mount Olympus. He is known for using his tricks to both help and hurt people throughout Greek history and mythology. Author Ron Leadbetter contends that Hermes took some of his brother Apollos cattle and brought them to a small grotto where he hid them. (Leadbetter)

In Greek mythology Hades is the god of the Underworld. He is part of the first olympians. He was in his father Cronus stomach until Zeus tricked him and freed his brothers and sisters. Once they were free they needed to wage war on Cronus, but they needed the backing and support from some other creatures to help fight the war. So the went to Tartarus the Greek equivalent of hell. When they were the set the Cyclopes free, in return the Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades all got magical items. Hades got a magical helmet that made him turn invisible. This would help in the war with Cronus and the Titans. Cronus was finally defeated when Hades got the jump on Cronus with his magic helmet and poseidon pinned him down with his trident. The Zeus gave the final blow with his lightning bolt to end it. (Parada)

Zeus in Greek mythology was chief and father of all Gods and mortals. He corresponds to the Roman god Jupiter. He lived atop Mt. Olympus, at the center of the earth where all the gods lived and held court. Sometimes Olympus was thought of as an actual mountain in Greece, but more often as a lofty reign in the heavens. Zeus was pictured as a kingly, bearded figure who supposedly hurled thunderbolts from the mountain to announce his anger.

- Hermes: also known as “Hermes of the golden wand” or “the giant killer” is the messenger and son of the god Zeus. He was sent by Zues to inform Calypso of Zeus’s order to free Odysseus.

When wearing his winged boots which made him unbelievably fast Hermes became the messenger for the gods. Another job Hermes had because he was quick on his feet was to the conductor of souls. Hermes was also known to be a thief. Some of the items that Hermes stole was Poseidon’s trident, Artemis’ arrow, and Aphrodite’s girdle. Being the only god who was allowed to enter heaven, go to earth, and enter the underworld made pleased him. He was credited for inventing fire, the alphabet, musical instruments, and dice. Since Hermes was credited for inventing dice many gamblers worship him as the god of luck and wealth. Another thing Hermes was famous for was his diplomatic skills. Since he was famous for his diplomatic skills he became regarded as the patron of language and

Out of the tortoiseshell, he crafts a lyre, this is a metaphor for crafting, as gods take the natural world and are able to put it to use. Once confronted by Apollo, Hermes gives a lying speech, he whistles and winks at Apollo making him laugh. Hermes acts like a child and tells Apollo, “I care for sleep, and milk of my mother's breast, and wrappings round my shoulders … I was born yesterday” (263-264). His playful nature allows him to express his musical skills, as he sings sweet songs with his lyre, and manages to trade it for the cattle. Hermes uses his wits and humour to defuse the situation. He is so charming when lying to Zeus, that even he, the great and powerful who punishes those who misbehave, lets Hermes get away with it.

Homer described Hermes as a thief, driver of cattle and harbinger of dreams, but according to Greek mythology, he was the son of Zeus and Maia. Zeus was the Olympian ruler of the heavens, while Maia was the daughter of Atlas. Hermes was born in a cave located on Mt. Cyllene. His mother lived in this cave. During infancy, it was visible that Hermes was born with superpowers as he was able to accomplish numerous feats.

Hermes was one of the 12 Olympian Gods and was god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld. He was the second youngest Olympian god and was the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades and daughter of the Titan Atlas. As the god of boundaries and transitions, Hermes was known to be quick and cunning and had the ability to freely move between the mortal and divine worlds. It is this skill that made him a luck-bringing messenger to the gods and intercessor between mortals and the divine.

Travel, diplomacy, trade, persuasion, writing, and athletics were traits of the Olympian god Hermes. Hermes main role is to deliver messages from gods, due to the fact that he could move freely and quickly from worlds of mortal and divine. Furthermore, Hermes the god of travel was “said to be a personal agent of Zeus, helping him on numerous occasions” (“Hermes”). Hermes personality is described as clever and agile. Hermes is depicted to be wearing winged sandals and helmet.

A dark, silent, formless void, a perpetual abyss without orientation, this is essentially what the Greeks believed was the origin of the world. The ancient Greeks while trying to further explain the world, invented beguiling myths (Evie). From these myths a world of human like gods and goddesses was formed (Evie). Through narratives, legends, and myths this world justified various abstract ideas, thus creating Greek mythology (Evie). A central element in Greek mythology is the underworld. The underworld is considered to be the place where one’s soul goes to after death. The underworld has played a vital role in Greek culture by serving as an incentive to live a virtuous life, which in turn has affected all aspects of Greek life.

Hermes (called Mercury in Roman mythology) was considered the messenger of the Olympic gods. According to legend, he was the son of Zeus, king of Mount Olympus, and Maia, a nymph. As time went on, he was also associated with luck, shepherds, athletes, thieves, and merchants.

The Greek Society believes in many Gods. The first one that I will talk about is Zeus. Zeus is The God of The Sky, Thunder, Lightning, and Justice. Zeus made sure that justice was always served. So he made sure that there was justice everywhere. And if someone was doing wrong he would punish them deeply.

Every human being has within him an ideal man, just as every piece of marble contains in a rough state a statue as beautiful as the one that Praxiteles the Greek made of the god Apollo.Greek myth is comprised of many Gods and Goddesses and the stories of how they came to be and of their life stories. And this is the story of the God apollo One God that caught my eye was Apollo, was associated with many aspects of life in the time of the Greek gods. Apollo’s father was Zeus, the king of the gods. Zeus, though married to Hera, had some problems with fidelity. He impregnated Leto, the daughter of a Titan.When he was four days old, he asked Hephaestus to make him silver bows and arrows. Hephaestus created them for him. Apollo was

Beyond relaying a fantastic journey, featuring a glorified hero who embodies to perfection Greek ideals, Homer uses the epic books of The Odyssey to explore all the nuances of Greek culture. Each part of The Odyssey possesses a purpose beyond detailing popular mythology. Book Eleven’s Underworld becomes the culmination of all the values and ideals that Homer touches on in prior books. Homer uses the underworld as a catchall to reinforce societal protocol and religion among other things. Specifically, by focusing on the reason for Odysseus’ journey, the journey itself, the scenery of the Underworld and its occupants, Homer reveals and reinforces views on kleos, the role men and women

The gods who inspired the love and hate relationships among families include Hermes, who used his magical use of language to lure the feelings of his brother Apollo away from jealousy to love. Hermes' reward was divination, and he became the god