why is menelaus to go to the elysian field why is menelaus to go to the elysian field

The elder son of King Atreus and Queen Aerope of Mycenae was Menelaus brother, Agamemnon, a great warrior. According to legend, in return for awarding her a golden apple inscribed "to the fairest," Aphrodite promised Paris the most beautiful woman in all the world. Later, in Book 17, Homer gives Menelaus an extended aristeia as the hero retrieves the corpse of Patroclus from the battlefield. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. River Styx in Greek Mythology | What is the River of Hades in the Underworld? The Islands of the Blessed were an idyllic and pristine afterlife free of suffering, pain, and hardship. He will wander the seas for years before returning home. Raging at her infidelity, he raised his sword to kill her, but as he saw her weeping at his feet, begging for her life, Menelaus' wrath instantly left him. A River of Lethe would certainly be an essential element in the journey to idyllic bliss though, as without its soothing sweep to empty our frenetic minds, we would never be able to relax in paradise. They had a son they called Euphorion, abundance, after the richness of the island. ", Vergil wasn't alone in his assessment of Elysium. In the second part of Goethes Faust, it is the legendary German magician who falls in love with the spirit of Helen and fathers the winged boy. But the truly, undeniably good people of the Greek world had a hope of sometime reaching true paradise. From the other side sluggish streams of darksome night belch forth a boundless gloom, And they live untouched by sorrow in the Islands of the Blessed along the shore of deep swirling Okeanos (Oceanus), happy heroes for whom the grain-giving earth bears honey-sweet fruit flourishing thrice a year, far from the deathless gods. What plan do the suitors devise against Telemakhos? A common feature in the afterlives of the worlds religion is a system of punishment and reward. The Elysium Fields of the underworld were separated from the rest of the realm by the River Lethe. Menelaus asks why Telemachus came to Lacedaemon. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Together with Helen, he dwells peacefully in the Elysian Fields for . These fields were covered in roses and shade trees. A foreign concept from the east finally found a way to reconcile the different tiers of the afterlife. This underworld was separated from Hades by the Lethe River. [17] Menelaus is wounded in the abdomen, and the fighting resumes. He has served as a social studies teacher and has created content for Ohio's Historical Society. NPIB/Honors English 10: Vocabulary List #12, English 2-Corbello: The Odyssey Quiz Books 1-4. While the wicked were tortured in Tartarus, the average person had little to look forward to in the next life. What happens to Odysseus at the end of book V? Most often in English it is called the Elysian Fields. He has a bachelor's degree in history from The Ohio State University. Initially, the cults taught that this Elysium could only be attained by involvement in their rites. The underworld Elysian Fields became a place for those who lived particularly virtuous and noble lives. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-were-the-elysian-fields-in-greek-mythology-116736 (accessed March 5, 2023). They were taught that if they lived virtuous lives, they would be elevated to the status of a god upon their death and become immortal. A 17th Century etching depicting the Elysian Fields. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. If someone was once a brave hero or a good ruler, relative to the gods, or another virtuous person, the judges sent them to the Elysian Fields (Elysium), described as a vast land of abundance, peace, happiness, eternal spring, and flourishing gardens. Ontology Theory & Examples | What is Ontology? Enalus or Enalos was a man from Lesbos in ancient Greek mythology.. Homer described Elysium as a place of eternal rest where men did not have to take part in any of the difficult toils they had faced in their mortal lives. Achilles Upon his death in the Trojan War, the great hero was taken to the island by his mother, Thetis. Peleus The father of Achilles and the mortal husband of Thetis, he outlived his son but eventually joined him in the afterlife. Corrections? Advertisement. Gill, N.S. Those deemed worthy were allowed into another Elysium. Menelaus and Helen had a daughter together and named her Hermione. The plot recounts the story of extremely wealthy citizens who reside in a manmade paradise called Elysium. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. The inhabitants are believed to live in perfect happiness, similar to the Christian Garden of Eden. After the death of Paris, Helen married his brother, Deiphobus. 1 See answer Advertisement Brainly User The people there were not the lost shades of the underworld, but could experience all the joys of life without the pain and hard work. (Odyssey, IV.637-639). Which god or goddess brings Zeus' command to Calypso? 4.565), not gods. When Phrontis, one of his crewmen, was killed, Menelaus delayed his voyage until the man had been buried, thus giving evidence of his . Too But later, writers placed Achilles in a much more idyllic place in the afterlife - the Elysian Fields. By the time of Hesiod, however, Elysium was a place for the blessed dead, and, from Pindar on, entrance was gained by a righteous life. From a bleak and depressing eternity as a shade, the Greeks developed the idea of a true paradise. The scene shifts of the home of Odysseus. What plans do the suitors devise against Telemachus? Originally, in the oldest records, there were no Elysian Fields. This article was most recently revised and updated by, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Menelaus-Greek-mythology. The souls of the dead were reduced to mere whisps, forever wandering the underworld without purpose, rational thought, or emotion. The Elysian Fields are the closest Ancient Greek equivalent to the more modern, Abrahamic concept of heaven. 531556. Hermione, who was nine years old at the time, was left behind to await her fathers return. Who Were the Parents of the Greek Hero Hercules? Charon delivered the deceased for judgment in front of three judges. The mythographer Ptolemy Hephaestion wrote that a child was born on the Islands of the Blessed. There were some people who were specifically mentioned by poets and writers as having won admittance to the Islands of the Blessed. ThoughtCo. Poseidon creates a huge storm and causes trouble for his journey. 400 lessons A Trojan horse is a seemingly serene person or a thing that joins or deceives a group in order to attack or destroy it. Residents of the underworld Elysium could also see, just across the river, the constant darkness and misery of the rest of the underworld. Youth The increasing popularity of the Mystery cults, however, changed the perception of what awaited people in the afterlife. Menelaus and Helen wandered the Mediterranean for eight years before they were able to return to Sparta. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena all immediately claimed the apple. Initially, there was no promise of a reward at all. Public Domain. Agamemnon, as the elder of the two brothers, took the throne. Those souls, who had committed serious crimes against the gods, would be sent to the Fields of Punishment, a part ofTartarus. Menelaus; The chief sources for Menelaus' life before the Trojan War are, " - ", Online version at the Perseus Digital Library, Online version at Harvard University Press, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Menelaus&oldid=1137248291, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Across the River Lethe, however, the eternal night of the Asphodel Meadows could be seen. According to this tradition Pleisthenes died young, with Agamemnon and Menelaus being raised by Atreus. "What Were the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology?" In this quote, Odysseus expresses his willingness to face enormous dangers and risks to gain his homecoming. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? that Menelaus, because we find him on a festal occasion surrounded by striking quantities of wealthy things, must be divinely fortunate, receives immediate CALYPSO AND ELYSIUM 3 qualification from none other than the king himself. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Interference by the goddess Aphrodite caused Helens betrayal of her marriage to Menelaus with Prince Paris of Troy, and led to the siege of the city. In later myths, when the judges were added to Hades, the underworld would remain the place where normal souls were sent. Further reference to the idyllic afterlife was made by playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Outside of this, Elysian Fields represents a place where life is simply accepted as it is. According to Homer in his epic poems written around the 8th century BCE, Elysian Fields or Elysium refers to a beautiful meadow in the Underworld where the favored of Zeus enjoy perfect happiness. When Menelaus died, Zeus wife, Hera, gifted him with immortality. He took pity on her and decided to take her back as his wife. In later narratives on the paradise, such as Friedrich Schillers Ode to Joy, Schiller views the fields as filled with song, joy and games. In Odyssey, Homer depicted Rhadamanthus as the ruler of the Islands of the Blessed. It was, however, not a powerful enough position for Chronus to ever try to retake the throne he had lost. The Elysian Fields were hard to reach, but for those few deemed worthy they promised an eternal life of relaxation, beauty, and amusements. Finally, she chose Menelaus from her many admirers, including Agamemnon. Helen The Spartan queen, whose elopement with Paris sparked the Trojan War, was sent with her husband to the White Island. Specialties: Join us at Elysian Fields Cafe every day for our 'Bubbles Brunch' from 11am until 3pm with UNLIMITED Mimosa's, Bellini's and Greek Gods for only $18.00!! This realm was, precisely speaking, not a part of the underworld. 561-69), According to prophecies by the sea godProteus, Menelaus was not fated to die in Argos but instead was sent to the Elysian Fields with Helen, where 'soft zephyr-winds from the ocean blow continually to refresh mankind.'. Eventually, the brothers gained the support of King Tyndareus of Sparta and returned to dethrone Thyestes. Goethe makes no mention of Zeuss wrath, but his Euphorion falls from the sky and is killed when he tries to fly too high. For most people, the pastoral pleasures of Elysium were entirely out of reach. As for your own end, Menelaus, you shall not die in Argos, but the gods will take you to the Elysian plain, which is at the ends of the world. This tradition does not elevate Helen and Menelaus to the status that they ostensibly attain in Isocrates. The Elysian Fields were hard to reach, but for those few deemed worthy they promised an eternal life of relaxation, beauty, and amusements. Many Neopagans believe Elysium to be a multi-layered paradise, with lush green fields and bubbling brooks of water and wine. s /; Greek: Menelaos, 'wrath of the people', from Ancient Greek (menos) 'vigor, rage, power', and (laos) 'people') was a king of Mycenaean (pre-Dorian) Sparta.According to the Iliad, Menelaus was a central figure in the Trojan War, leading the Spartan contingent of the Greek army, under his elder . The Greek idea of reward in the next world was constantly evolving. At dawn, Menelaus sits beside Telemachus. According to the Iliad, Menelaus was a central figure in the Trojan War, leading the Spartan contingent of the Greek army, under his elder brother Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Pindar went on to say that reincarnation was not immediate. In ancient Greece prior to the fifth century, the father and uncle of Menelaus were in a lengthy battle over the throne of Mycenae. The people living there are fully accepting of life . Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. The Elysian Fields is an area of the afterlife in Greek mythology where heroes and the most virtuous people are sent. The scene shifts to the home of Odysseus. According to Homer, also fair-haired Rhadamanthys dwells in the Elysian Fields, "where life is most free from care for men.". What questions about the product to be sold must an entrepreneur ask? Both of the gifts sounded quite tempting, especially to a mortal with minimal status compared to a god, and possibly limited intelligence. Hera offered him power. Although it was reserved for those who had died, it was not under the purview of Hades. Why is migration positive? At first, the souls of the deceased (both good and evil) were faced with crossing the riverStyx (hate), the principal river in the Underworld, which formed the border between the upper, and lower worlds. After the fall of Troy, Menelaus recovered Helen and brought her home. The Story of Dido, Queen of Ancient Carthage, The Myth of Gilgamesh, Hero King of Mesopotamia. Later writers made it a particular part of Hades, as in Virgil, Aeneid, Book VI. Menelaus was a prominent figure in the Iliad and the Odyssey, where he was promised a place in Elysium after his death because he was married to a daughter of Zeus. But Oenone, still angry about being left for Helen, decided against doing so. But some gave him a more pleasant task after he gained his freedom. When she found him dead, she hung herself. When Phrontis, one of his crewmen, was killed, Menelaus delayed his voyage until the man had been buried, thus giving evidence of his strength of character. ever-changing Proteus, Menelaus asked this herdsman of Neptune to foretell his destiny. After they eat Menelaus hazards a guess that they are the sons of kings. The Mysteries taught that there was a way to achieve a better version of eternity, even if the Islands of the Blessed were off limits to common people. Select warriors hid inside the hollow horse, enabling them to enter the city and open the gates for the rest of the army. Many famous deities resided in the realm of the Elysian Fields. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? Delatores Who Were The Professional Gossip Collectors In Ancient Rome? Gill, N.S. Once back in Sparta, he and Helen are shown to be reconciled and have a harmonious married lifehe holding no grudge at her having run away with a lover and she feeling no restraint in telling anecdotes of her life inside besieged Troy. According to Euripides' Helen, Menelaus is reunited with Helen after death, on the Isle of the Blessed. Everyone who mattered was in attendance. N.S. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. They put up a ship in the harbor in order to ambush and kill him when he returns. He is the husband of Helen, and son - in - law of Zeus, and he will not die. The Furies in Greek Mythology | The Furies Names & Symbols. Then it was decreed that straws were to be drawn for Helen's hand. This was a dreary existence. Elysium, also called Elysian Fields or Elysian Plain, in Greek mythology, originally the paradise to which heroes on whom the gods conferred immortality were sent. Persephone, as the queen of the underworld, required every soul to spend nine years in her realm. He had a pleasing personality. Just as the concept of the Elysian Fields evolved throughout time, so did the underworld itself. According to Menelaus' informant, where was Odysseus? After the defeat of Troy, the Greeks began their journey home. John Dewey on Education: Theory & Philosophy. Collard, Christopher and Martin Cropp (2008b), This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 16:34. Most people, however, are sent to the underworld. Many terms originated in the stories of Menelaus and are still in today. . Perhaps we have a paradise to look forward to, once we leave our mortal discord behind. These three were appointed to ensure that all souls who entered the afterlife were judged fairly and given what was due to them. This will happen to you because you have married Helen, and are Jove's (Zeus) son-in-law. How is a tint of blue related to a shade of blue? Invoking the oath of Tyndareus, Menelaus and Agamemnon raised a fleet of a thousand ships and went to Troy to secure Helen's return; the Trojans refused, providing a casus belli for the Trojan War. The Elysian Fields are first referenced in Homer's Odyssey Book 4 where Menelaus is promised that he will go there instead of dying (and so distinguishing it from the afterlife proper): it is described as being located at the edges of the earth (the peirata) and is where life is "easiest for men". M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. From the myths written by the various Greek poets, heroes said to have been sent there include Achilles, Heracles, and Perseus. As the concept of Elysium changed and expanded though, it became easier for a Greek person to imagine having a good afterlife, even if a perfect one was still hard to attain. Mythology: Greek Legends & Gods & Goddesses of Olympus: Greece, King, Lighting, Unwin P. T. H. Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade, J. Edward Wright, The Early History of Heaven, Legendary Ynglings: Descendants Of The Norse Gods And Oldest Scandinavian King Dynasty, Runes Were Just As Advanced As Roman Alphabet Writing New Study, Ancient Burials Of Worlds First Horse Riders Found Near The Black Sea, Clevelands Prehistoric Sea Monster Had A Mouth Twice As Large As A Great White Shark, Mysterious Bronze Age Golden Tomb Unearthed In Armenia. The idea of the Elysian Fields evolved throughout the history of Ancient Greece, first mentioned in Greek poetry. Some of them delight themselves with horses and with wrestling; others with draughts, and with lures; while beside them bloometh the fair flower of perfect bliss. Why is Menelaus to go to the Elysian Field instead of dying as other mortals do? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Sociolinguistics: Types of Variations & Examples | What is Sociolinguistics? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. As punishment for disobeying his command, Zeus changed the nymphs into frogs. During this prophecy, the earliest surviving mention of the Elysian Fields is given. Most important to those who followed the Mysteries, the underworld Elysium could be reached by average men and women. The Elysian Fields were the Greeks own version of Heaven, but their concept of paradise might be a lot different than you would expect! The phrase refers to the impossible situation of Paris, who was charged by Zeus to choose the fairest goddess. A malicious computer virus that hacks into computers by misleading users is also referred to as a Trojan. The scene shifts to the home of Odysseus. Menelaus and Helen wandered the Mediterranean for eight years before they were able to return to Sparta. In Sparta is King Menelaus, who fought with Odysseus in the Trojan War. Jason & The Argonauts: Myth & Summary | The Argonautica, A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin | Summary, Analysis, and Themes, The Odyssey by Homer: Book 11 | Summary & Quotes. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. (Homer Odyssey 4. All other souls resided in the Underworld, with the exception . Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Elysian Fields of the Blessed Elysium went by many names. The tropical iridescent Menelaus Blue Morpho butterfly was named by Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish zoologist and the father of modern taxonomy, in honor of Menelaus, King of Sparta. The following table displays other examples in classical literature where the Elysian Fields are mentioned. Dodecahedron: Sophisticated Ancient Device Found In Europe And Asia, Irkalla Underworld With No Return Ruled By Ereshkigal, Granddaughter Of Enlil And Sister Of Inanna, Yali Divine Protector And Guardian Of Temples Warding Off Evil Forces In Hindu Mythology. I feel like its a lifeline. In theAeneid, those blessed dead compose poetry, sing, dance, and tend to their chariots. While he was telling Telemachus about Odysseus he was crying. Does Menelaus know Odysseus fate? The character would probably have been forgotten entirely had he not appeared in a later work. Strange Tale Of Mysterious Thousand-Year-Old Underground Network Of Caves And Encounters With Subterranean Dwellers, Unexplained Mystery Of The Glowing Woman Who Baffled Scientists, Most Detailed Geological Model Reveals Earths Past 100 Million Years, Ecological Improvement Of Freshwater Ecosystems Benefits Fish And People, Shiitake Mushrooms And Its Evolution A New Study, Scientists Use Satellites To Track Earth Greening Amid Climate Change, Augmented Reality Headset Enables Users To See Hidden Objects. What is Elysian Fields? "Elysium" by Lon Bakst (1866-1924) from 1906. In these myths, the Isle of the Blessed was an exclusive area reserved for the noblest of heroes. Prodius, old man of the the sea, who tells no lies. It was generally assumed, however, that any person great enough to have a hero cult on earth had been taken to the islands after their death. ELYSION (Elysium) was the final resting place of the souls of heroes and virtuous men. Menelaus is the king of Sparta who was robbed of his sweet wife Helen by a guest he received in his palace. Identify the leading men of the suitors? See answer. A. His uncle, Thyestes, became the king after his cousin Aegisthus murdered Atreus. Troy was taken when Odysseus had the idea for the wooden horse. . Earning a spot among the blessed residents was second only to being elevated to godhood. Among the army was a prophet named Calchas. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. Who first recognizes Telemakhos as the son of Odysseus? Public Domain Later epics tell of a place within Elysium called the Isle of the Blessed, reserved for only the most heroic souls. What difficulties do some teens have in trying to develop a personal style? For leading the Titans, Zeuss father had been imprisoned with most of his people in the pit of Tartaros. Finally, there is the tradition that Helen and Menelaus go to the Elysian Field, he simply because he was married to her. It was the exclusive destination for those who had been most favored by the gods in life. Menelaus, in Greek mythology, king of Sparta and younger son of Atreus, king of Mycenae; the abduction of his wife, Helen, led to the Trojan War. Here is the place, where the road parts: there to the right, as it runs under the walls of great Dis (Hades), is our way to Elysium, but the left wreaks the punishment of the wicked, and send them on to pitiless Tartarus. Homer describes the Elysian Fields as a paradise in his works, The Odyssey. (2020, August 26). Create your account. What Were the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology? T/F: The setting of book 4 is the home of Menelaus in Sparta. In the 16th century, an outlying garden of the Tuileries Palace in France was given the name the Champs-lyses. Tyndareus would accept none of the gifts, nor would he send any of the suitors away for fear of offending them and giving grounds for a quarrel. SHOW MORE The Greek idea of the afterlife was constantly evolving to meet the ideas of the time. The apple was labeled, to the fairest. They put up a ship in the harbor in order to ambush and kill him when he returns. Because it was outside of the realm of Hades, the White Island was not under his dominion. Menelaus and his older brother Agamemnon were banished from the city and went into exile. Omissions? Although some sunlight reached it, it was never as warm and bright as the upper world. He is the husband of Helen, and son-in-law of Zeus, and he will not die. Harmonia Some legends said that the goddess chose to stay by her husbands side even after his death instead of living on Mount Olympus. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/what-were-the-elysian-fields-in-greek-mythology-116736. This hope eventually grew into the belief in a second Elysium that was accessible to those without a direct tie to the gods. Omissions? She is most famously known as Helen of Troy. the Elysian Fields phrase. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. Phonology Examples & Rules | What is Phonology? Being far too wise to actually make this particular decision himself, Zeus called upon the god Hermes to escort the three goddesses to Troy to meet with Paris, the mortal prince of the city. Korean Mythology Gods & Folklore | What is Korean Mythology? Medea Several sources said that Achilles and Medea were fated to be married in the afterlife. Dante supposed the Elysian Fields were the uppermost level of hell, where non-Christians were sent, instead of heaven. The only notable weather was a gentle, refreshing breeze that blew in from the west and an occasional light sprinkle of rain. In Greek Mythology, the afterlife is confined to the realm of the underworld, known as Hades. It was sometimes called the White Island, and more often was referred to as the Islands of the Blessed. [7] Other sources mention other sons of Menelaus by either Helen, or slaves. Facts About Menelaus This prophet told Menelaus about the fate of many Trojan war heroes, including Odysseus and his own. The first reference to the Elysian Fields comes in Homer's The Odyssey. D. Helen will prove a faithful wife after all. This can keep a species or group from dying off. Among them was KingMenelausof Sparta, a husband toHelen and thus also Zeus' son-in-law. When Menelaus died, Zeus' wife, Hera, gifted him with immortality. Helen had many suitors and she requested an oath from Odysseus and his men to protect her future husband. The original face that launched a thousand ships was the beautiful Helen of Troy, wife of Menelaus. It probably was retained from Minoan religion. The Elysian Fields are. The ancient Greeks had their own version of the afterlife: an Underworld ruled by Hades. Eris was bitter about being left off the event list so she showed up uninvited with a scheme to cause trouble. As the Sibyl, a prophetess,remarks to the Trojan hero Aeneas in the epic Aeneidwhen giving him a verbal map of the Underworld, "There to the right, as it runs under the walls of great Dis [a god of the Underworld], is our way to Elysium. Not much is done to hide the shabbiness of the flats. Those who deserve happiness after death find themselves in Elysium or the Elysium Fields; descriptions of this idyllic place changed over time but were always pleasant and pastoral. 10 Life in the Elysian Field is everlasting but it is a life "for mortals" (, Od. There are four versions of Menelaus' and Helen's reunion on the night of the sack of Troy: Book 4 of the Odyssey provides an account of Menelaus' return from Troy and his homelife in Sparta. It was believed to be located at a mysterious distant place somewhere at the end of the Earth. While other sources said that Achilles married Medea after their deaths, Ptolemy Hephaestion partnered the hero with Helen. When visited by Odysseus' son Telemachus, Menelaus recounts his voyage home. Pindar and others, however, said that Chronus ruled Elysium. Learn about Elysian Fields in Greek mythology. The Elysian Fields, also called Elysium, is an area of the afterlife in Greek mythology where the souls of heroes and those who lived virtuous lives are sent. He grabbed Paris by the crest of his helmet and started to drag him along, when the goddess Aphrodite, who favored Paris for choosing her as the fairest, intervened by breaking the strap of the helmet and setting Paris free, leaving Menelaus with just a helmet in his hands. Elysium, also called Elysian Fields or Elysian Plain, in Greek mythology, originally the paradise to which heroes on whom the gods conferred immortality were sent. He's taught high school and middle school. The scene shifts to the home of Odysseus. Although early authors, such as Aeschylus refer in passing to Menelaus' early life, detailed sources are quite late, post-dating 5th-century BC Greek tragedy. Menelaus appears as a character in a number of 5th-century Greek tragedies: Sophocles' Ajax, and Euripides' Andromache, Helen, Orestes, Iphigenia at Aulis, and The Trojan Women. The majority of religions believe in an afterlife: an idyllic paradise where the woes of Earthly living are replaced by lush green fields, flowing streams of water and wine and blissful peace. In his Thebaid, the Roman poet Statius claims that it's the pious who earn the favor of the gods and get to Elysium, while Seneca states that it's only in death that the tragic Trojan King Priam achieved peace, for "now in the peaceful shades of Elysiums grove he wanders, and happy midst pious souls he seeks for his [murdered son] Hector.". Some myths speak of a separate area within the Elysian Fields known as the Isle of the Blessed. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. In his Works and Days, he wrote of the deserving dead that: "father Zeus the son of Kronos gave a living and an abode apart from men, and made them dwell at the ends of the earth.