Underworlds and Afterlives in Ancient Warriors

INTRODUCTION The allure of the afterlife and the underworld has eternally held mankind's fascination. Exemplified through the myths, folklore, and religious dogmas of societies past and present, these mystical realms conceptualize the enigma of death and what follows thereafter. They harbor elements of fiendish punishment, reward, redemption, and purification of souls. The tales pertaining to underworlds and afterlives serve as an intrigue that fuels our collective fear, hope, and curiosity. The impressions of these supernatural places often draw their potency from the characteristics of their inhabitants — divine beings, gods, and notably, the ancient warriors. ORIGIN AND CULTURAL CONTEXT The concept of underworlds and afterlives has deep roots spanning back to the cradle of civilization. In the ancient times of Egypt, the resting warriors were promised an eternal life in the Field of Reeds, an Eden-esque paradise provided they adhere to the principles of Ma’at, the moral ideal of truth, balance, order, and justice. Simultaneously, the warriors of Norse mythology were enticed by an eternal battle and feasting in Valhalla, ruled by the god Odin. Across the ocean, Aztec belief prophesied an unfaltering journey through the gloomy, hazardous Mictlan, regardless of their earthly bravery or virtue. THE LEGEND OR STORY The ancient Greek mythologies offer one of the most well-known depictions of the underworld, Hades. In Greek tradition, the honorable warriors were led by the divine Psychopomps, namely Hermes or Apollo, to cross the River Styx, the boundary between Earth and Hades. The souls of the departed had to pay an obol, a coin, to Charon, the dismal ferryman who guided the souls to the gate of Hades. The gate was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed canine beast who allowed the souls to enter but never leave. The Greek underworld was compartmentalized into several dominions. The bravest of warriors could hope to find solace in the Elysian Fields, akin to Heaven, where they would dwell in eternal peace. But for those who succumbed to ignoble deeds or dishonored the gods, Tartarus, the dungeon of the damned, awaited. Here, their souls would suffer endless torment, personified in the legend of the deceitful King Sisyphus, who was doomed to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down as he neared the top. INTERPRETATIONS AND SYMBOLISM The supernatural realms of underworlds and afterlives embodied the beliefs, values, and fears of the respective societies. They were mindscapes that served as extensions of earthly existence, providing an eternal platform for justice or vengeance, reward or punishment. The underworld, often associated with darkness, sin, and decay, symbolically represented the fear of mortality and the rueful consequences of an immoral life. On the contrary, the vision of a peaceful afterlife served to inspire virtuous living and valiant conduct in battle, particularly among warriors. COMPARISONS IN OTHER CULTURES The Indian epic Mahabharata narrates the celestial city of Swarga, the Heaven bestowed upon honorable warriors who perished in righteous battle, distinguished by the divine aroma of sandalwood, resonating with celestial music and luminous with divine light. Similar to Norse's Valhalla and Greek's Elysian Fields, Swarga epitomized the captivation of a glorious afterlife. Meanwhile, the ancient Celtic mythology described the Otherworld, an ethereal paradise hidden beneath the earth or sea, or beyond the western horizon. MODERN REFERENCES AND POP CULTURE The captivating tales of underworlds and afterlives continue to enthrall contemporary society, making frequent appearances in modern literature, cinema, and video games. The Greek Hades has found a manifestation in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, represented by 'Underworld'. Similarly, Tolkien's conceptualization of the underworld manifested as 'Halls of Mandos' in his Middle-earth legendarium. Moreover, high fantasy video games like God of War and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice keenly portray the journeys of warriors through hellish underworlds, echoing the timeless mythic archetypes. LEGACY AND LASTING MYSTERIES Despite the significant advancements in science and philosophy, the enigma of death and the afterlife continues to baffle mankind. The enchantment of ancient underworlds and afterlives persist, imbued with an eternal, captivating allure, deeply entrenched in our collective consciousness. It’s a testament to the enduring human curiosity towards mortality, virtue, and the ethereal realms beyond our earthly existence. The underworlds and afterlives of the ancient warriors reveal fascinating insights into their cultures. They are profound, sometimes terrifying, sometimes inspiring, but always incredibly intriguing portrayals of the universal intrigue around death and the afterlife. These legends, regardless of their origins – Egypt, Greece, Norse, Aztec, or India – provide an intriguing peek into the human instinct to know the unknowable and the need to ascribe meaning and purpose to our ephemeral existence.