Elysium
Elysium, often referred to as the Elysian Fields, is a mythological concept rooted in ancient Greek literature. Described by Homer as a serene meadow located at the western edge of the earth, it is said to lie along the banks of the river Oceanus. In this idyllic realm, individuals favored by Zeus, including heroes and virtuous souls, are believed to experience eternal bliss after death. Notable figures such as Menelaus and Rhadamanthys, the latter serving as a judge for the deceased, are mentioned in association with Elysium. Hesiod adds to the narrative by referencing the Islands of the Blest, which are also linked to this paradise. Over time, the depiction of Elysium evolved, particularly in Roman literature, where Virgil's Aeneid places the Elysian Fields within the Underworld and reaffirms its status as a resting place for the meritorious. The concept of Elysium reflects ancient beliefs about the afterlife and the rewards of virtuous living, capturing the imagination of cultures through its idealized vision of paradise.
Elysium
Elysion
A mythological concept that has no physical location. According to Homer it was a beautiful meadow at the western extremity of the earth, on the banks of the river Oceanus; Hesiod speaks of the Islands of the Blest (makaron nesoi) beside Oceanus. It was in these idyllic surroundings that those favored by Zeus enjoyed a life of bliss after death. Among them were his son-in-law Menelaus and his son Rhadamanthys: who, according to Pindar, acts as the assessor of Cronus, presiding over those who have three times passed blamelessly through life. In later myth, notably Virgil's Aeneid, the Elysian Fields were situated in the Underworld (Hades), and regarded as the dwelling place of those selected for special favor by the judges of the dead.