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In Greek mythology, there are two distinct ways to communicate with the dead:

  • A Nekyia (νέκυια) is a ritual to summon the dead. An example of this is Odysseus in the Odyssey.
  • A Katabasis (κατάβασις) is a journey into the Underworld while still living. Heracles is one hero who did this.

Who did these things and what were their reasons? Was it personal? Did a god tell them to? Is it some labor (Heracles) they must complete? Or something else?

yannis
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Andrew Johnson
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2 Answers2

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  • Orpheus traveled to the underworld and returned.

  • Theseus traveled to the underworld and returned, with the help of Heracles (although his companion Pirithous was not so lucky.)

Reasons could vary. With Orpheus, it was love of his departed wife. With Theseus, it was for fame, and specifically on behalf of his friend.

DukeZhou
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Goddess Persephone goes to the underworld I believe six months out of the year then she's released back on the earth for the other six that's how we have the seasons when she was gone the Earth was freezing

user40185
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