- Pluto (the Greek God who is sometimes referred to as Hades) was the ruler of the Underworld (which is, confusingly, also sometimes referred to as Hades).
- The Ancient Greeks believed that everyone went to the Underworld when they died.
- The Underworld was made up of three parts: the Asphodel Fields, Tartarus and the Elysian Fields.
- The majority of ordinary people entered the Asphodel Fields when they died, becoming shades (shadow versions of the people they were when they were alive on Earth).
- Evil people were sent to Tartarus, a place of punishment and suffering.
- Those who had lived a particularly good or heroic life on Earth were rewarded by being allowed to walk in the Elysian Fields, a place of peace, bliss and rest.
- Sometimes people were sent back to Earth to live another life.
- The River Styx divided the Earth from the Underworld. In order to reach the Underworld, you had to cross the Styx by paying Charon, the boatman, to ferry you to the other side.
- The entrance to the Underworld is guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog.
Find out more about the Ancient Greek gods and goddeses by clicking here.
