All about history book of myths and legends. ( PDFDrive )

The hero Orpheus was famed for two major qualities. The first

was his remarkable musicianship, which, according to some,

he had learned from Apollo. With his music, he was able to

charm gods and mortals alike. Orpheus was also very brave,

and had accompanied Jason on his quest for the Golden

Fleece. But his most daring adventure was his

legendary journey to the Underworld.

Orpheus in the Underworld

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his queen, Persephone. Hades was generally not moved by

appeals from mere mortals, but Orpheus’s eloquent music

softened his heart and he listened to the musician’s request.

Hades decreed that Eurydice could accompany Orpheus back

to Earth, but forbade him from looking at his wife on the way.

THE RETURN JOURNEY

Orpheus and his wife began their journey and it went well

initially, with the musician playing his lyre and the beautiful

chords guiding Eurydice back through the darkness of the

Underworld towards the light of the Earth. But Orpheus was

concerned about his wife, and worried that Hades had not

allowed her to follow him.

Unable to resist himself, he

took one fleeting glance at

her. As soon as he looked

back, Hades pounced on

Eurydice and pulled her

back into the Underworld.

Orpheus had to continue

homewards on his own,

and was condemned to

wander the Earth,

lamenting his lost wife,

and moving those who

heard him to tears.

THE MYTH

The power of Orpheus’s music was mirrored in his very

mysterious origins, because it was not known for certain

where he came from or who his parents were. Although

it was rumoured that he was a son of Apollo, his real

father was purportedly a man from Thrace – an area

that many southern Greeks considered uncivilized.

His mother was believed to be one of the nine Muses.

ORPHEUS AND HADES

When Orpheus’s beloved wife, the nymph Eurydice, died from

a snakebite, he decided to go to the Underworld to get her

back. It was a journey from which virtually no mortal had ever

returned. The great hero Heracles had made the journey

Orpheus was not as strong, but he had his incredible musical

skill. He sang and played

the lyre so well that people

believed he could move

even inanimate objects.

After arriving in the

Underworld, Orpheus

played his lyre to Hades, the

king of the dark realm, and

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus’s concern for Eurydice

made him disregard Hades’

warning, and he paid the price as

Eurydice was snatched from him.

Orpheus in the Underworld

According to some versions of the

myth, it was Persephone who was

so moved by Orpheus’s music that

she asked Hades to let Eurydice

leave with Orpheus.

and survived, but his strength was superhuman.

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