A-Z: General definitions
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A-Z: General definitions: Orpheus
Definition
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.Possibly Apollo's son, Orpheus was a skilled musician and singer who loved his wife so much that he tried to fetch her back from the Underworld when she died.
The Muses were goddesses who were believed to give inspiration to all types of creative artists.
God of prophecy, music, the arts, medicine and archery.
A nymph who married Orpheus, who loved her so much he attempted to bring her back from the Underworld.
Ferryman of the dead across the River Styx.
Three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the Underworld.
God of the Underworld (Roman name, Pluto); a Greek word for the world of the dead, where they await final judgement.
Daughter of Zeus and Ceres, who was carried down into the Underworld by Hades. Later, she would spend half the year with Ceres and half with Hades, so giving rise to the cycle of the crop-growing season. Also known as Proserpine.
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