Glossary
Acheron
One of the rivers of the Underworld, often referred to as the 'river of woe,' across which Charon ferries the souls of the dead.
Example:
The unburied souls lingered mournfully on the banks of the Acheron, unable to cross without proper burial rites.
Aeneid Book VI
The sixth book of Vergil's epic poem, *Aeneid*, which details Aeneas's journey into the Underworld to speak with his father, Anchises.
Example:
Understanding the prophecies and encounters in Aeneid Book VI is essential for grasping Aeneas's destiny and the future of Rome.
Charon
The grim ferryman of the Underworld who transports the souls of the deceased across the rivers Acheron and Styx to their final resting place.
Example:
Aeneas had to present the golden bough to Charon to gain passage across the murky waters, a privilege not granted to the living.
Cumae
An ancient Greek colony in Italy, famous for its oracle of the Cumaean Sibyl, and the starting point for Aeneas's descent into the Underworld.
Example:
Aeneas sought the wisdom of the Sibyl at Cumae before embarking on his perilous journey into the realm of the dead.
Sibyl
A prophetess or oracle, specifically the Cumaean Sibyl in *Aeneid* Book VI, who guides Aeneas through the Underworld.
Example:
The Sibyl provided Aeneas with the golden bough, his key to entering the realm of the dead and speaking with his father.
Underworld
In Roman mythology, the realm of the dead, often depicted as a dark and gloomy place where souls reside after death.
Example:
Aeneas's descent into the Underworld is a pivotal moment, revealing prophecies about Rome's future and testing his resolve.