Descent and Return: Ancient Views of Hades and the Afterlife

Catalog description

This course will focus on classical views of Hades and the afterlife, paying special attention to the gods and heroes, such as Persephone, Odysseus, Orpheus, and Aeneas, who were able to make the journey down into Hades while alive and then return back to the upper world. We will also discuss the historical background to the works and related religious and literary themes.