The differences between the Greek and Roman perception of the Underworld were unexpected to me. I expected for us to go to the Underworld we had to sail and offer a sacrifice then guard the blood, but instead we pluck a flower and travel down a cave. I was kinda disappointed, until I read the great detail and expansion that Virgil made on our knowledge of the Underworld. Unlike Homer, who does introduce us to various interesting ghosts, Virgil takes us on a literal tour of the Underworld. And unlike in The Odyssey, these ghosts are happy and know what's going on. Well the ones that aren't in torment. Was there a shift in the imagery of the Underworld between the time of the Greeks and Romans? For the Greeks, the Underworld was full of hopelessness and decay, but the Romans display forms of reward for those who are worthy. Maybe the Romans were trying to imply Plato's idea that the men should not fear death, but welcome it.
I commented on Collin's.
I think we are so see to the journey being to the underworld not walking around in it. I didn't really notice that until you pointed it out, but it certainly is interesting.
ReplyDelete