Round Trip to Hades in the Eastern Mediterranean Tradition explores how the theme of visiting the Underworld and returning alive has been treated, transmitted and transformed in the ancient Greek and Byzantine traditions. The journey was usually a descent (katabasis) into a dark and dull place, where forgetfulness and punishment reigned, but since 'everyone' was there, it was also a place that offered opportunities to meet people and socialize. Famous Classical round trips to Hades include those undertaken by Odysseus and Aeneas, but this pagan topic also caught the interest of Christian writers. The contributions of the present volume allow the reader to follow the passage from pagan to Christian representations of Hades-a passage that may seem surprisingly effortless.
- ISBN10 9004375961
- ISBN13 9789004375963
- Publish Date 13 August 2018
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Brill
- Format eBook
- Pages 420
- Language English