Gates to the Afterlife: Greek, Egyptian, and Norse Views of Death

Introduction

Death, the greatest mystery of life. None of us know what happens when life is over, nor do we have proof of whether our minds or souls continue to exist beyond our mortal flesh. Humanity’s response to death often revolves around delaying it and believing in the possibility of an afterlife. Let us delve into how the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Norse confronted the concept of death.

Greek Underworld: Hades

Hades is also the name of the Greek god of the underworld and the eldest brother of Zeus and Poseidon. Due to his dominion over the underworld, the realm itself became associated with him. Hades rules his domain alongside his wife, Persephone.In the Greek underworld, once a soul entered Hades, it was brought before three judges: Rhadamanthus, Minos, and Aeacus, three demi-god ministers of Hades. They were originally mortal men, sons of the god Zeus, and were granted their station after death as a reward for being lawful in their lives (but mainly sons of Zeus).

• Aeacus: Responsible for judging the souls from the western regions, typically associated with Europe.

• Rhadamanthus: He judged the souls of those from the eastern regions, such as Asia.

• Minos: He served as the chief judge or arbitrator, making decisions in cases where the other two judges could not come to an agreement or where special consideration was required.

  
  

The Greek underworld, or Hades, is divided into several sections, but the most significant ones are Elysium, Asphodel Meadows, and Tartarus.

• Elysium: Also known as the Elysian Fields, it is where heroes and the virtuous are sent after death, promised an easy and blissful afterlife.

• Asphodel Meadows: This is where the majority of souls dwell. The name appears in Homer’s The Odyssey, and scholars are divided over its meaning. Some suggest it refers to the asphodel flower, while others believe it could mean “a field of ash,” based on the etymology of the word.

• Tartarus: The darkest part of the underworld, where the wicked are judged and sentenced to eternal divine punishments.

  
  

There are several rivers in the Greek underworld, the most prominent being the River Styx. It often serves as the entrance to the underworld and passes through its sections, over which Charon, the ferryman of the dead, rows the deceased so they can travel through Hades.

This doesn’t come for free, though, as the dead have to pay a toll for Charon in the form of a coin. The Charon coin (usually an obol or drachma) was placed in the mouth or on the eyes of the dead. Without the coin, the souls were believed to be unable to be judged. The coin was a crucial part of the Greeks’ burial rites, ensuring their dead completed the journey through Hades. Hades, in many ways, reflects the most popular reward system: the Virtuous, the Neutral, and the Wicked, creating a structure that mirrors life itself.

Egyptian Underworld: Duat

In the Egyptian underworld, Duat, two deities play pivotal roles: Osiris, the benevolent god of the afterlife, and Anubis, the protector of the dead and guide through the shadowy paths of Duat.

The Deities of Duat

Osiris, the once-king of Egypt, was murdered by his brother Set and resurrected by his devoted wife, Isis. His story reflects the cycle of death and rebirth that the ancient Egyptians believed in. Now, as the ruler of Duat, Osiris awaits the souls of the dead in the throne room, where they would be judged for their deeds in life.Anubis, who is often depicted with a jackal head, has a more active role as he is a watchdog and a guide of the souls. His duties include watching over the dead and preparing them for the afterlife.

Anubis also leads the souls through the treacherous twists of Duat, where a failure in navigation could lead to eternal damnation. In many ways, he was the ferryman of the Egyptian Underworld, guiding souls to their final judgment.

The Soul’s Journey Through Duat

What we know about the journey through Duat comes from the Book of the Dead, where it is stated that the dead, in order to reach their final destination and be judged by Osiris, must tread a dangerous path filled with deception and challenges. To survive, they must be properly mummified and buried with a collection of spells and instructions that will guide them. The dead must also trust in Anubis to lead them safely, resisting whatever monsters or spirits may try to lure, seduce, or frighten them away from his protection. The journey throughout Duat reflects the ancient Egyptians’ values, as not only do you need to live a just and moral life, but also actively fend off your inner demons.

The Weighing of the Heart: The Ultimate Judgment

At the end of the souls’ journey comes the final and most decisive test in Osiris’s throne room, the Hall of Two Truths. The soul stands before Osiris and a tribunal of gods, while Anubis carefully places the deceased’s heart on a golden scale. Opposite the heart lies the feather of Ma’at, symbolizing truth and cosmic order.If the heart is light and balances with the feather, it means that the soul’s owner lived a just and moral life, and then it is welcomed into the Field of Reeds, an eternal paradise resembling a perfect Egypt, where they would live in peace forever. But if the heart is heavy, that means it is filled with either guilt or that its owner has lived a life full of sins and lies. In that case, the soul would meet a darker fate, as Ammit, the devourer, a terrifying creature with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, would consume the soul, condemning it to oblivion — an eternal death from which there is no return.

Norse Underworld: Helheim.

In Norse mythology, the dead have multiple destinations depending on how they died; the most common destination being Helheim, aka Hel (yes, just one L). Helheim is part of a grander realm called Niflheim, an ancient icy realm filled with fog. While Niflheim existed since the dawn of creation, Helheim became the specific region within it where the dead now reside with the birth of its ruler, Hel, daughter of the trickster god Loki. As we mentioned before, not all dead end up in Helheim, but a massive portion does, including those who die from illness, old age, or dishonor.

Hel: The Ruler of Helheim

The daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, she has quite a grotesque appearance. Half of her body appears alive, while the other half is that of a corpse, embodying the dual nature of death — life and decay. Her role is not to torment souls but to govern over those who did not die in battle.

The Journey to Helheim

After death, the soul begins its journey to Helheim. It must cross the Gjöll Bridge, which has a female guardian called Modgud. Once the soul crosses the bridge, there is no return, and they are led into the depths of Helheim, where they reside under Hel’s rule for eternity.Unlike other destinations for the dead, there is no grand trial or judgment in Helheim. The dead simply enter their new existence, one without the honor and glory of warriors, but also without the agonies of torment.

Valhalla and Folkvangr: The Afterlife for Warriors.

For those who die in battle, a different fate awaits. Half of the brave warriors are chosen by the Valkyries, Odin’s warrior maidens, to ascend to Valhalla, the great hall of slain warriors. Here, they join the ranks of the Einherjar, warriors who train for the final battle of Ragnarök. In Valhalla, the dead live in glory, feasting and fighting until the end of the world.The other half may be chosen by the goddess Freyja, Odin’s wife, to dwell in her realm, Folkvangr, another destination for the most honored warriors. Both realms offer a rewarding and prestigious afterlife for those who fell in combat.

Conclusion

The afterlife in all three mythologies — Greek, Egyptian, and Norse — is a fascinating exploration of how ancient cultures confronted the mystery of death. While there are intriguing similarities among these beliefs, profound differences also reveal unique cultural values and understandings of existence.Similarities:

• Journey of the Soul: All three mythologies emphasize the importance of the soul’s journey after death, reflecting a shared human curiosity about what lies beyond life.

• Judgment: Each culture incorporates a form of judgment:

• Greek: Souls are judged by Hades’ three judges.

• Egyptian: The heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at in the Hall of Two Truths.

• Norse: Fate is determined by the manner of one’s death, though without formal judgment.

Differences:

• Nature of Judgment:

• Greek: A structured system of rewards and punishments for virtuous and wicked souls.

• Egyptian: Judgment imbued with moral and cosmic significance, emphasizing balance and truth.

• Norse: Helheim lacks a formal trial, reflecting a fatalistic view where destiny is determined by circumstances of death.

  
  

What do these varied beliefs about death and the afterlife reveal about the cultures that created them?