What was the name for the ‘Islands of the Blessed’ where heroes were sent by the Greek gods to enjoy a life after death?
Answers
region in Hades. In the Elysian Plain which is "at the ends of the earth" life is easiest for men. No snow is there, nor heavy storm, nor ever rain, but ever does Ocean send up blasts of the shrill-blowing West Wind that they may give cooling to men (Homer, Odyssey 4.561ff.).
Pindar (518-438 BC), in one of his thrénoi (the thrénos is a dirge or song of lamentation) describes Elysium as follows:
"For them doth the strength of the sun shine below,
While night all the earth doth overstrow.
In meadows of roses their suburbs lie,
Roses all tinged with a crimson dye.
They are shaded by trees that incense bear,
And trees with golden fruit so fair.
Some with horses and sports of might,
Others in music and draughts delight.
Happiness there grows ever apace,
Perfumes are wafted o'er the loved place,
As the incense they strew where the gods' altars are
And the fire that consumes it is seen from afar." (quoted by Plutarch, Moralia: Letter to Apollonius 35, 120c).