Elysium

• Elysium, also referred to as the Elysian Fields by Homer, meant Paradise in Greek Mythology.

Description

• The Ancient Greeks believed that Elysium was a separate Afterlife from Hades.
• It was reserved for Heroic Men, Men related to the Gods and those chosen by the Gods.
• Hesiod thought that Elysium was the Fortunate Islands.

Sources

• Homer
  • He describes Elysium as being on the edge of the Earth by the river Okeanos and ruled by Rhadamanthus.
• Hesiod
  • He thought that Elysium was located in the Fortunate Islands and ruled by Cronus.
• Pindar
  • He described the ‘Islands of the Blessed’ as one island only. Pindar also thought Elysium was ruled by Cronus. (Odes 2.59-75)