A-Z: General definitions: Eurydice

Definition

A nymph who married Orpheus, who loved her so much he attempted to bring her back from the Underworld. Orpheus was the son of a Muse and, possibly, Apollo. He was a musician: it was said that when he played the lyre and sang, animals would listen and even rocks would be affected. When his beloved wife Eurydice died, Orpheus was heartbroken. He travelled into the Underworld to bring her back. Charon and Cerberus, charmed by his music, let him pass. The shades of the dead listened and wept, and even the punishments of the damned ceased. Hades and Persephone were so moved that they agreed Orpheus could take her back to the world of the living as long as he did not look at her until they had left the Underworld. But Orpheus was so eager to make sure his wife was following that he turned to look at her just before they reached the sunlight. Eurydice vanished, back into death.

Related Topics

Hades; Underworld

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