Where is Hell? Greco/Roman Myths of the Underworld

Greek and Roman mythology hold great fascination to society, revealing ancient culture's beliefs and ideologies. Mythologies weave magical accounts of gods, goddesses, giants, monsters, and ordinary humans performing extraordinary acts. Death is not only a significant part of mortal life, but is also an unwavering line between mortals and gods.  In life, death is inevitable; an obstacle one cannot conquer or deny. Death in Roman and Greek mythology is a complex process, primarily because the Underworld was believed to be an actual, physical place.

In Christianity, Hell is a a place for immoral souls to be forever tortured. It is a metaphysical place, an area with no 'real' location. This is not, however, true of all mythological underworlds. The Greek/Roman Underworld is described as an actual place- some accounts even give directions!  Mythological heroes often descend into the underworld, striving to pass some sort of test or achieve a goal. Through these  narratives, the layout of these provinces is revealed. Hercules's journey into the Underworld is probably the most popular underworld Greco/Roman myth. 

Greek and Roman mythology’s rendering of the afterlife is possibly the most detailed explanation that has survived the centuries. Ruling the Underworld was Hades (Roman: Pluto), along with his wife Persephone (Proserpina). Various 
accounts give conflicting placement of the Underworld, from “beyond the vast Ocean” (from Odyssey’s tale) to the “center of the earth”, once modern geography proved the world was not flat. The way to the Underworld was habitually described as gloomy and shrouded in darkness.