Avernus

By Crusader1307

Ancient Greek Mythos, states that any geographical anomaly which had volcanic or thermal displacement was known as an ‘’Averni’’. These were commonly held as ‘’entrances’’ to Hades – The Underworld. Their very make-up was designed to stop ‘’Living’’ Humans from traversing in The Realm and – likewise, stopped ‘’Deceased’’ Souls from ‘’coming back’’ (usually). The primary ‘’opening’’ to Hades was near Cuma, Italy and identified as ‘’Avernus’’. An ancient but still active volcanic crater, it’s temperatures were such – along with it’s poisonous sulfurous gas, that it was naturally the entrance way to Hades. Various Temples and Shrines have been erected over the Centuries. In Ancient Literature, Avernus served as fodder for tales of Humans attempting to enter Hades for a variety of reasons. Living Relatives who worried after The Souls of The Departed (and fearing any possible escapes and hauntings), often had elaborate ceremonies and offering to ‘’The Hole’’. This included the throwing of Libations (food and drink) into The Crater, to appease ‘’The Dead’’.