They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. When Menelaus died, Zeus' wife, Hera, gifted him with immortality. Sociolinguistics: Types of Variations & Examples | What is Sociolinguistics? Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive at the court of Menelaus and Helen where they are welcomed, bathed, oiled, dressed, and feasted even though the royal couple is making their children's wedding preparations. 1. Odysseus When Telgonis unwittingly killed his father, he took the body to his mother Circes island. C. He will avenge the death of Agamemnon. Too Further reference to the idyllic afterlife was made by playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Close by, the residents of Tartarus underwent constant, brutal punishments. As the ruler of Elysium, Chronus would have had a position fitting of his station as both an elder Titan and the father of Zeus. "What Were the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology?" There, according to the works of Homer, Virgil, and Hesiod bad people are punished while the good and heroic are rewarded. This version of the Elysium Fields, unlike the White Island, existed within the realm of Hades. It was a less gloomy place than the rest of the underworld. Homer's Iliad is the most comprehensive source for Menelaus's exploits during the Trojan War. Some myths speak of a separate area within the Elysian Fields known as the Isle of the Blessed. [14] The rest of the suitors swore their oaths, and Helen and Menelaus were married, Menelaus becoming a ruler of Sparta with Helen after Tyndareus and Leda abdicated the thrones. According to some sources, a second Elysian Fields may have existed. Outside of this, Elysian Fields represents a place where life is simply accepted as it is. why is ethics the only necessary knowledge brainly; in recent times crossword clue He took pity on her and decided to take her back as his wife. As the concept of Elysium changed and expanded though, it became easier for a Greek person to imagine having a good afterlife, even if a perfect one was still hard to attain. This can keep a species or group from dying off. The Underworld Adventure of Aeneas in The Aeneid, The Greek God Hades, Lord of the Underworld, Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty. It was, however, not a powerful enough position for Chronus to ever try to retake the throne he had lost. They were completely empty and devoid of their former personalities. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Menelaus is told that he will be sent there because he is the son-in-law of Zeus, meaning relatives of the gods get preferential treatment. For a discussion of the house of Tantalus see Gantz, pp. This will happen to you because you have married Helen, and are Jove's (Zeus) son-in-law. A person could not earn their way onto the island through good deeds or devotion. Menelaus describes his stay in Egypt to Telemachus. A person had to be buried appropriately to gain entrance to the underworld. In Homer's Odyssey, book 11, we learn that Odysseus meetsAchillesamong the unhappy ghosts in the Underworld. In the epic legends of Homer, Menelaus was the King of Sparta. Some Greek writers even claimed that the souls sent to Hades realm forgot their lives and identities entirely. During this prophecy, the earliest surviving mention of the Elysian Fields is given. The place was reserved for the dead, like a giant Tityos (or Tityus), punished for his attempt to rape Leto. These myths tell the stories of many heroes whose fate is to rest in the Elysian Fields, including Perseus, Heracles, and Achilles. Viking Children Were Buried With Extremely Sharp Knives Afterlife Tools To Be Used In Valhalla? ", Vergil wasn't alone in his assessment of Elysium. Tartarus was reserved for the vilest and most wicked of mortals and immortals. The scene shifts to the home of Odysseus. Although some sunlight reached it, it was never as warm and bright as the upper world. He says that few among mortals have as much wealth as he although . Hesiod referred to the Elysian Fields as the Isle of the Blessed and considered them to be located in the same area. Different myths describe this plane of existence within the underworld slightly differently. What does Menelaus learn of his own fate? On occasion, the two concepts of the Elysian Fields were combined and, if a soul passed through the netherworld Elysian three times, it would then progress on to the Isle of the Blessed, or ultimate paradise. Hera offered him power. In Greek mythology, Menelaus (/ m n l e. Today we use this term to refer to a person who causes a disaster, especially a war. This was the ultimate paradise a hero could achieve: basically an ancient Greek Heaven. Initially, the cults taught that this Elysium could only be attained by involvement in their rites. Helen The Spartan queen, whose elopement with Paris sparked the Trojan War, was sent with her husband to the White Island. The Titans, who ruled before the gods, were confined here. Public Domain. He then took Helen back to his ship. But some gave him a more pleasant task after he gained his freedom. Finally, there is the tradition that Helen and Menelaus go to the Elysian Field, he simply because he was married to her. 30 chapters | The short passage written by Ptolemy Hephaestion gives no explanation for this discrepancy, or for why Zeus seemed so hateful toward Euphorion. What happens to Odysseus at the end of book V? During the sack of Troy, Menelaus killed Deiphobus, who had married Helen after the death of Paris. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. There were some people who were specifically mentioned by poets and writers as having won admittance to the Islands of the Blessed. the Elysian Fields phrase. The elder son of King Atreus and Queen Aerope of Mycenae was Menelaus brother, Agamemnon, a great warrior. At first, the souls of the deceased (both good and evil) were faced with crossing the riverStyx (hate), the principal river in the Underworld, which formed the border between the upper, and lower worlds. During his absence, Paris and Helen became lovers and sailed off to Troy together. Their next stop was the Elysian Fields, a land of never-ending peace and happiness, where souls deprived of all sufferings and unnecessary desires walked through the meadows, filled with beautiful music from invisible lyres. According to Homer in his epic poems written around the 8th century BCE, Elysian Fields or Elysium refers to a beautiful meadow in the Underworld where the favored of Zeus enjoy perfect happiness. The good receive a life free from toil, not scraping with the strength of their arms the earth, nor the water of the sea, for the sake of a poor sustenance. Tartarus is the closest equivalent the Greeks had to the modern concept of hell. The Elysian Fields, as a later addition to their idea of the underworld, went through some of the most radical changes. After concluding a diplomatic mission to Sparta during the latter part of which Menelaus was absent to attend the funeral of his maternal grandfather Catreus in Crete, Paris ran off to Troy with Helen despite his brother Hector's prohibition. The name translates as the Elysian Fields and was later retained by the iconic avenue in Paris. Hermione, who was nine years old at the time, was left behind to await her fathers return. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? The fight commenced and Menelaus was about to kill Paris. In the 1st century AD, another story arose about the Elysian Fields. From the myths written by the various Greek poets, heroes said to have been sent there include Achilles, Heracles, and Perseus. It probably was retained from Minoan religion. Jason & The Argonauts: Myth & Summary | The Argonautica, A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin | Summary, Analysis, and Themes, The Odyssey by Homer: Book 11 | Summary & Quotes. The increasing popularity of the Mystery cults, however, changed the perception of what awaited people in the afterlife. Further reference was made to Elysium in 1972, with the naming of Elysium Mons, a volcano in the volcanic province, Elysium, on Mars. The suitor who won was Menelaus (Tyndareus, not to displease the mighty Agamemnon offered him another of his daughters, Clytaemnestra). But the idea of the Elysian Fields transformed over the course of a few hundred years from an exclusive and unreachable paradise to a tiered system based on rewards for behavior, devotion, and morality. Advertisement. The name translates as the Elysian Fields and was later retained by the iconic avenue in Paris. Paradise would never be considered easy for the Greeks to reach. Menelaus, in Greek mythology, king of Sparta and younger son of Atreus, king of Mycenae; the abduction of his wife, Helen, led to the Trojan War. [7] Other sources mention other sons of Menelaus by either Helen, or slaves. Aeneas talks to his father,Anchises, in the Elysian Fields in Book VI of the Aeneid. A son of Zeus and Europa, he and his brother Minos were made judges of the dead by their father and Hades. Probably influenced by Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, some Greeks began to believe that souls reincarnated from the underworld Elysium might eventually be able to earn their way onto the Islands of the Blessed. the elevator doesn't go (all the way) to the top floor; the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top; For his sake, a fleet of unprecedented size sailed to Troy in order to demand, by persuasion or by force, the restoration of Helen and the Spartan property that the seducer Paris, breaking all laws of hospitality, had stolen. They played games, held friendly contests, and played music. A foreign concept from the east finally found a way to reconcile the different tiers of the afterlife. According to Menelaus' informant, where was Odysseus? Discover the definition of Elysian Fields and uncover what is believed to happen in the Greek afterlife. 400 lessons Because it was outside of the realm of Hades, the White Island was not under his dominion. The people there, he said, had all day to pursue leisure. They referred to the realm as 'The Isle of the Blessed, and as such, it was the Garden of Edenin Christian beliefs. The Egyptian pharaohs believed they would live a life very similar to the one they had while they lived, including servants and food. The Elysian Fields of the Blessed Elysium went by many names. Medea Several sources said that Achilles and Medea were fated to be married in the afterlife. Elysium, also called Elysian Fields or Elysian Plain, in Greek mythology, originally the paradise to which heroes on whom the gods conferred immortality were sent. It was the exclusive destination for those who had been most favored by the gods in life. Eris was bitter about being left off the event list so she showed up uninvited with a scheme to cause trouble. This realm was, precisely speaking, not a part of the underworld. This tradition does not elevate Helen and Menelaus to the status that they ostensibly attain in Isocrates. Many Neopagans believe Elysium to be a multi-layered paradise, with lush green fields and bubbling brooks of water and wine. .of moderate stature, auburn-haired, and handsome. Homer said that Rhadamanthus ruled there. Menelaus recovered quickly and continued the attack, but Aphrodite clouded Paris in a mist, hiding him from further blows and swiftly took him away from the fight to another place in the city. "Yeah, well. Menelaus became King of Sparta and ruled with Helen once King Tyndareus and his queen Leda abdicated their thrones. A. Most people, however, are sent to the underworld. Why would he? While Odysseus is trying to get home, his son Telemachus goes on a journey to Sparta to try and find out where his father could be. As for your own end, Menelaus, you shall not die in Argos, but the gods will take you to the Elysian plain, which is at the ends of the world. Those who reached this comfortable afterlife spent their time playing games and riding horses. And these last equally have honor and glory. This circumstance is the central issue of the classic Greek play, Antigone. In ancient Greece prior to the fifth century, the father and uncle of Menelaus were in a lengthy battle over the throne of Mycenae. River Styx in Greek Mythology | What is the River of Hades in the Underworld? Even though it was in the underworld, the light of the sun reached Elysium. Athena offered wisdom. The Mysteries taught that there was a way to achieve a better version of eternity, even if the Islands of the Blessed were off limits to common people. Hades and Persephone resided in there and held their royal court. Most important to those who followed the Mysteries, the underworld Elysium could be reached by average men and women. It was generally assumed, however, that any person great enough to have a hero cult on earth had been taken to the islands after their death. It was believed to be located at a mysterious distant place somewhere at the end of the Earth. During the war Menelaus served under his elder brother Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the Greek forces. By the time of Hesiod, however, Elysium was a place for the blessed dead, and, from Pindar on, entrance was gained by a righteous life. Select warriors hid inside the hollow horse, enabling them to enter the city and open the gates for the rest of the army. Menelaus; Parada, s.v. The majority of religions believe in an afterlife: an idyllic paradise where the woes of Earthly living are replaced by lush green fields, flowing streams of water and wine and blissful peace. [17] Menelaus is wounded in the abdomen, and the fighting resumes. Hesiod lived at about the same time as Homer (8th or 7th century BCE). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. While he was telling Telemachus about Odysseus he was crying. He used the term in his play Twelfth . Homer described Elysium as a place of eternal rest where men did not have to take part in any of the difficult toils they had faced in their mortal lives. What does Menelaus tell Telemachus about Odysseus' fate? Dante supposed the Elysian Fields were the uppermost level of hell, where non-Christians were sent, instead of heaven. Together with Helen, he dwells peacefully in the Elysian Fields for eternity. He is the husband of Helen, and son-in-law of Zeus, and he will not . All Helens suitors from 10 years ago were reminded of their sworn oath to defend the husband of Helen. Pindar and others, however, said that Chronus ruled Elysium. In Greek mythology, Menelaus (/mnle.s/; Greek: Menelaos, 'wrath of the people',[1] from Ancient Greek (menos)'vigor, rage, power', and (laos)'people') was a king of Mycenaean (pre-Dorian) Sparta. to wipe from their memories any thought of home. He charged a fee - a coin of 1 obole for his service. Most offered opulent gifts. Corrections? The truce ended when an arrow was shot at Menelaus, who suffered a minor wound. Paris was overwhelmed with the beauty of all the goddesses and very confused about making a decision. The Elysian Fields were the Greeks own version of Heaven, but their concept of paradise might be a lot different than you would expect! The souls heading to the Elysian Fields would first drink from the Lethe River and forget their suffering on Earth. He is on land and goes to sleep covered in leaves. The people there were not the lost shades of the underworld, but could experience all the joys of life without the pain and hard work. Menelaus. Reincarnation provided a possible way out of the underworld. The other suitors all swore their oath as previously promised, and Helen and Menelaus were married. According to tradition, the family used to place the coin in the mouth of the deceased. Updates? Later myths describe the Isle of the Blessed as a place reserved for those who had won entrance into the Elysian Fields in four different lifetimes. Menelaus resolved to kill Helen, but her irresistible beauty prompted him to drop his sword and take her back to his ship "to punish her at Sparta", as he claimed. As punishment for disobeying his command, Zeus changed the nymphs into frogs. They trapped Proteus and forced him to reveal how to make the voyage home. Korean Mythology Gods & Folklore | What is Korean Mythology? Facts About Menelaus Many famous deities resided in the realm of the Elysian Fields. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena all immediately claimed the apple. A Trojan horse is a seemingly serene person or a thing that joins or deceives a group in order to attack or destroy it. An error occurred trying to load this video. This was a dreary existence. All rights reserved. In Sparta is King Menelaus, who fought with Odysseus in the Trojan War. Menelaus; The chief sources for Menelaus' life before the Trojan War are, " - ", Online version at the Perseus Digital Library, Online version at Harvard University Press, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Menelaus&oldid=1137248291, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. There fair-haired Rhadamanthus reigns, and men lead an easier life than any where else in the world, for in Elysium there falls not rain, nor hail, nor snow, but Oceanus breathes ever with a West wind that sings softly from the sea, and gives fresh life to all men. By the time of the Roman master poet Vergil (also known as Virgil, born in 70 BCE), the Elysian Fields became more than just a pretty meadow. He is the husband of Helen, and son-in-law of Zeus, and he will not die. ThoughtCo. According to the Iliad, Menelaus was a central figure in the Trojan War, leading the Spartan contingent of the Greek army, under his elder brother Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. See answer. King Tyndareus offered his other daughter Clytemnestra to Agamemnon to appease him. Menelaus does seem to be pained that he and Helen have no male heir, and is shown to be fond of Megapenthes and Nicostratus, his sons by slave women. It was sometimes called the White Island, and more often was referred to as the Islands of the Blessed. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you In these myths, the Isle of the Blessed was an exclusive area reserved for the noblest of heroes. They were taught that if they lived virtuous lives, they would be elevated to the status of a god upon their death and become immortal. Does Menelaus know Odysseus fate? Finally, she chose Menelaus from her many admirers, including Agamemnon. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? (Odyssey, IV.637-639). Menelaus and Helen had a daughter together and named her Hermione. Helen had many suitors and she requested an oath from Odysseus and his men to protect her future husband. Who Were the Parents of the Greek Hero Hercules? 561-69), According to prophecies by the sea godProteus, Menelaus was not fated to die in Argos but instead was sent to the Elysian Fields with Helen, where 'soft zephyr-winds from the ocean blow continually to refresh mankind.'. If you were a sales associate at a clothing store, what additional training would you need to become the store's retail buyer? The island was the home of the Meliai, a group of naiads, or water nymphs. "Because I trust you." Those who were evil in life are sent to Tartarus, the ancient Greek equivalent of hell. There would be no opportunity for his father to consolidate power. When later Greek writers assessed the legend of the Elysian Fields, they postulated the location to be at the mouth of the River Danube, and the Isle of the Blessed potentially in the Atlantic Ocean. Theseus in Greek Mythology | Who Is Theseus? He started his life as a mortal. flashcard sets. According to Homer, also fair-haired Rhadamanthys dwells in the Elysian Fields, "where life is most free from care for men.". According to the usual version of the story, followed by the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, Agamemnon and Menelaus were the sons of Atreus, king of Mycenae and Aerope daughter of the Cretan king Catreus. Agamemnon, as the elder of the two brothers, took the throne. Definition of the Elysian Fields in the Idioms Dictionary. He is the husband of Helen, and son-in-law of Zeus, and he will not die. For Menelaus' genealogy see, Grimal, p. 526, Table 2, and p. 534, Table 13. Harmonia Some legends said that the goddess chose to stay by her husbands side even after his death instead of living on Mount Olympus. Menelaus and Helen wandered the Mediterranean for eight years before they were able to return to Sparta. "Elysium" by Lon Bakst (1866-1924) from 1906. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Achilles Upon his death in the Trojan War, the great hero was taken to the island by his mother, Thetis. The underworld is ruled by a god of the same name, Hades. Cadmus The founder of Thebes and the husband of the goddess Harmonia was granted access to Elysium after his death. A malicious computer virus that hacks into computers by misleading users is also referred to as a Trojan. Proteus tells Menelaus that because he is the husband of Helen, who is the daughter of Zeus, he will end up in a good spot in the afterlife, in the Elysian Fields. Proteus replied that Menelaus was not ordained to die, that the gods would take him "to the Elysian plain and the world's end, where is Rhadamanthus of the fair hair, where life is easiest for men." And then The Elysian Fields are first referenced in Homer's Odyssey Book 4 where Menelaus is promised that he will go there instead of dying (and so distinguishing it from the afterlife proper): it is described as being located at the edges of the earth (the peirata) and is where life is "easiest for men". Her abduction was the catalyst for the Trojan War. While other sources said that Achilles married Medea after their deaths, Ptolemy Hephaestion partnered the hero with Helen. In Homers writings the Elysian Plain was a land of perfect happiness at the end of the Earth, on the banks of the Oceanus. All the gods and goddesses were invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, except for the Goddess of Discord, namely Eris, who wasnt invited or welcome. Ancient Greek Writing & Literature| Overview, Effects & Influence, Oedipus Rex by Sophocles | Summary, Themes & Characters. Menelaus and Helen wandered the Mediterranean for eight years before they were able to return to Sparta. The Odyssey Study Guide . After the fall of Troy, Menelaus recovered Helen and brought her home. Some of them delight themselves with horses and with wrestling; others with draughts, and with lures; while beside them bloometh the fair flower of perfect bliss. Thetis was a coveted bachelorette goddess and the wedding was considered to be a major event. What difficulties do some teens have in trying to develop a personal style? The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic that tells the story of the hero Odysseus and his long journey home from the Trojan War. The first of these--also known as the White Island or the Islands of the Blessed--was an afterlife realm reserved for the heroes of myth. In his Thebaid, the Roman poet Statius claims that it's the pious who earn the favor of the gods and get to Elysium, while Seneca states that it's only in death that the tragic Trojan King Priam achieved peace, for "now in the peaceful shades of Elysiums grove he wanders, and happy midst pious souls he seeks for his [murdered son] Hector.". Ancient Greek goddesses are far better known for their vanity than their modesty. Mythology: Greek Legends & Gods & Goddesses of Olympus: Greece, King, Lighting, Unwin P. T. H. Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade, J. Edward Wright, The Early History of Heaven, Legendary Ynglings: Descendants Of The Norse Gods And Oldest Scandinavian King Dynasty, Runes Were Just As Advanced As Roman Alphabet Writing New Study, Ancient Burials Of Worlds First Horse Riders Found Near The Black Sea, Clevelands Prehistoric Sea Monster Had A Mouth Twice As Large As A Great White Shark, Mysterious Bronze Age Golden Tomb Unearthed In Armenia. Some ancient sources said that Chronus had become the ruler of Tartarus during his long stay there. He is the husband of Helen, and son - in - law of Zeus, and he will not die. Pindar claimed that Elysium was covered in golden flowers. While the wicked were tortured in Tartarus, the average person had little to look forward to in the next life. Hades, the god, is one of the twelve major deities of Greek mythology and is the brother of Zeus, ruler of the gods. It is an ancient analog to the more modern concept of heaven. Hesiod, in his poem Works and Days, similarly makes mention of the Isle of the Blessed. In 2013, a science fiction film was released called Elysium. He grabbed Paris by the crest of his helmet and started to drag him along, when the goddess Aphrodite, who favored Paris for choosing her as the fairest, intervened by breaking the strap of the helmet and setting Paris free, leaving Menelaus with just a helmet in his hands. Sisyphus, andTantalus,were judged to spend eternity. And they live untouched by sorrow in the Islands of the Blessed along the shore of deep swirling Okeanos (Oceanus), happy heroes for whom the grain-giving earth bears honey-sweet fruit flourishing thrice a year, far from the deathless gods, and Kronos rules over them; for the father of men and gods released him from his bonds. Charon delivered the deceased for judgment in front of three judges. Dodecahedron: Sophisticated Ancient Device Found In Europe And Asia, Irkalla Underworld With No Return Ruled By Ereshkigal, Granddaughter Of Enlil And Sister Of Inanna, Yali Divine Protector And Guardian Of Temples Warding Off Evil Forces In Hindu Mythology. The story of their voyage home is told in the epic Odyssey by Homer. For the particularly virtuous Neopagans, they may gain access to the Golden City and enjoy a blissful eternity. The Odyssey Study Guide . Avery Gordon has experience working in the education space both in and outside of the classroom. Homer believed the location of the paradise to be in the west, at the end of the Earth. In the account of Dares the Phrygian, Menelaus was described as ". Just as the concept of the Elysian Fields evolved throughout time, so did the underworld itself. The only notable weather was a gentle, refreshing breeze that blew in from the west and an occasional light sprinkle of rain. When Phrontis, one of his crewmen, was killed, Menelaus delayed his voyage until the man had been buried, thus giving evidence of his . They had a son they called Euphorion, abundance, after the richness of the island. The concept of the Elysian Fields evolves through the different ancient Greek sources. She is most famously known as Helen of Troy. The Elysium Fields of the underworld were separated from the rest of the realm by the River Lethe. Although early authors, such as Aeschylus refer in passing to Menelaus' early life, detailed sources are quite late, post-dating 5th-century BC Greek tragedy. The Story of Dido, Queen of Ancient Carthage, The Myth of Gilgamesh, Hero King of Mesopotamia. During his stay there, who tells Menelaus where Odysseus was detained? Euphorion was killed and his body fell to the island of Melos, just south of Crete. All other souls resided in the Underworld, with the exception . N.S. Aeneas meeting with his father in the Elysium. If someone was once a brave hero or a good ruler, relative to the gods, or another virtuous person, the judges sent them to the Elysian Fields (Elysium), described as a vast land of abundance, peace, happiness, eternal spring, and flourishing gardens. By the 5th century BC, the concept of reincarnation had found its way into the Greek world. Ambush him on his way home and kill him. A difficult decision, for example, is referred to as a Judgement of Paris. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-were-the-elysian-fields-in-greek-mythology-116736 (accessed March 5, 2023). that Menelaus, because we find him on a festal occasion surrounded by striking quantities of wealthy things, must be divinely fortunate, receives immediate CALYPSO AND ELYSIUM 3 qualification from none other than the king himself. pg 129 line 158. Prince Paris would be charged with deciding the issue. While the subterranean Elysian Fields was a more comfortable and enjoyable afterlife than the Asphodel Meadows, it was still imperfect. Prodius, old man of the the sea, who tells no lies. Menelaus asks why Telemachus came to Lacedaemon. Later epics tell of a place within Elysium called the Isle of the Blessed, reserved for only the most heroic souls. He will wander the seas for years before returning home. Yes, he admits, he is the richest man in the world (80), but he cannot be entirely content with it. In this quote, Odysseus expresses his willingness to face enormous dangers and risks to gain his homecoming. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? The ancient Greeksimagined life after death as less appealing than on Earth. The Elysian Fields is an area of the afterlife in Greek mythology where heroes and the most virtuous people are sent. The first reference to the Elysian Fields comes in Homer's The Odyssey.