Scenario Mythological figure of choice: Erebus

Erebus was one of the primordial duties before there were the more commonly known Olympians.

He was the God of darkness, and was gatekeeper and ruler over the domain known as the void. Working with his partner Nyx, who was also his sibling they work together bringing the darkness and night, whilst their daughter Hemera would move the darkness away, and then allowed Aether who is known for daylight to brighten the world.

Although Erebus is not a prominent figure, he’s often very much associated with the underworld as Hades would send souls through the void.

What separates Erebus from his sister, Nyx is that a Erebus was the primary god of darkness, whilst Nyx was the goddess of night. Erebus was the son of Chaos, who sat above all. Specifically, God of the air, or the gaps between the heavens, and the Earth.

Erebus and Nyx were the parents of what is commonly known these days as demons. They represented the good and bad aspects of the human conscious.

Who was Erebus?

In Greek mythology, Erebus was a primordial deity and the personification of darkness, shadow, and the underworld. He was one of the first deities to emerge at the beginning of creation, born from the void known as Chaos along with his twin sibling Nyx, the goddess of night. Erebus was believed to dwell in the depths of the earth and to be the gateway to the Underworld, where the souls of the dead journeyed after their passing. In some myths, Erebus was also associated with death, sleep, and dreams.

How was he depicted? as a person or a shadow?

What stories was he in?

In Greek mythology, Erebus is primarily associated with the Underworld and is often mentioned in stories related to death and the afterlife. Here are a few examples of his appearances in mythology:

•In one version of the creation myth, Erebus was born from the void along with his twin sister, Nyx (the goddess of night). Together, they gave birth to many other deities, including Aether (the god of light) and Hemera (the goddess of day).

•In some stories, Erebus is said to guard the entrance to the Underworld, along with his threeheaded dog Cerberus. It was believed that the souls of the dead had to pass through Erebus in order to enter the Underworld.

•In the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus travels to the Underworld in an attempt to bring his wife Eurydice back from the dead. Along the way, he passes through Erebus and encounters the spirits of the dead.

•In some versions of the myth of Persephone and Hades, it is said that Hades abducted Persephone while she was picking flowers in a meadow. As he carried her down to the Underworld, they passed through Erebus. Overall, Erebus is a relatively minor figure in Greek mythology, but his association with darkness, shadows, and the Underworld made him an important part of many myths related to death and the afterlife.

Erebus was typically depicted in Greek mythology as a personification of darkness and shadows, rather than as a physical person. He was often described as a dark and gloomy figure who resided in the depths of the earth, and his name itself means “deep darkness” or “shadow.” In art, Erebus was sometimes portrayed as a black, winged figure or as a dark, misty cloud. He was also sometimes associated with the figure of Hades, the god of the Underworld, who was often depicted as a shadowy figure as well.

What hidden meanings does he translate to the world?

Erebus represents the primordial darkness and the shadowy depths of the earth in Greek mythology. As such, he can be seen as a symbol of the unknown, the mysterious, and the hidden aspects of the world. Erebus is also associated with the Underworld, which was believed to be the final destination of the souls of the dead. In this sense, Erebus can be interpreted as a symbol of death and the journey that the soul takes after it leaves the body.

In some interpretations, Erebus is also seen as a symbol of the unconscious mind, particularly the darker and more shadowy aspects of the psyche. This connects with his association with dreams and sleep, which were believed to be gateways to the subconscious realm. In this sense, Erebus can be seen as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and integrating the darker parts of ourselves in order to achieve wholeness and selfawareness.

Overall, Erebus represents the mystery and hidden depths of the world, as well as the journey that the soul takes after death. He can also be interpreted as a symbol of the unconscious mind and the importance of integrating all aspects of the self.

What was the graphic style Erebus would be represented with?

As Erebus is a figure from Greek mythology, there is no one particular graphic style that he would be represented with. However, in general, Greek mythology was often depicted in art through a combination of painting, sculpture, and other forms of visual representation.

In ancient Greek art, figures were often depicted in a highly stylized way, with exaggerated proportions and idealized features. Sculptures of gods and goddesses were typically made from marble or bronze, and were highly detailed and finely crafted. Many Greek sculptures also featured intricate patterns and designs, such as floral motifs or scenes from mythology.

In terms of painting, ancient Greek art was typically created on pottery, vases, or other ceramic objects, as well as on walls and other surfaces. Greek artists were known for their use of bold colors, strong outlines, and intricate patterns.

Today, artists who are inspired by Greek mythology may use a variety of styles to represent Erebus, from classical forms of sculpture and painting to more contemporary styles that incorporate elements of abstraction or modern design.

Where was the void?

In Greek mythology, the void was the primordial state of the universe that existed before the creation of the world as it is known. It was often referred to as Chaos, and was believed to be a formless, empty space that existed before the universe was formed. The void was considered the origin of all things, and it was from this chaotic state that the gods and the world as we know it emerged.

The exact location of the void is not specified in Greek mythology, as it was believed to be a realm beyond the physical world. However, it was often described as a place of darkness, emptiness, and infinite potential. The void was seen as a powerful force that gave rise to the universe and everything in it, and it was revered as a symbol of the creative power of the gods.

So would Erebus artwork be represented with darkness?

Yes, Erebus is often associated with darkness and shadow in Greek mythology, and artwork that depicts him may incorporate these elements in various ways. In art, Erebus is often portrayed as a dark, gloomy figure, sometimes depicted as a black, winged figure or as a misty cloud. Artistic representations of Erebus may also incorporate other symbols or imagery associated with darkness, such as the night sky, shadows, or the void. Depending on the artist’s interpretation, artwork featuring Erebus may be highly abstract or more representational, and may use a variety of techniques and styles to convey the sense of darkness and mystery associated with this figure.

How would you describe the void?

Was Erebus judgmental?

There is no clear indication in Greek mythology that Erebus was a judgmental figure. Rather, Erebus is primarily associated with darkness, shadow, and the unknown, and is often described as a neutral or passive force rather than an active agent in the events of the world.

In some interpretations, Erebus is seen as a gateway to the underworld, where the souls of the dead are judged and guided on their journey. However, it is typically the god Hades or other chthonic deities who are responsible for judging the souls of the dead, not Erebus himself.

Overall, while Erebus plays an important role in Greek mythology as a symbol of darkness and the unknown, there is no evidence to suggest that he was a judgmental figure.

In Greek mythology, the void is often referred to as Chaos, and is described as the primordial state of the universe that existed before the creation of the world. It is a formless, empty space that is often associated with darkness, emptiness, and infinite potential. The void is typically depicted as a featureless expanse, a swirling chaos of darkness and nothingness. It is often described as a space of pure potential, where anything is possible and all things are in a state of flux. The void is the origin of all things, the chaotic source from which the gods and the world as we know it emerged.

In some interpretations, the void can also be seen as a symbol of the unconscious mind, a space of the psyche where the deepest, most mysterious aspects of ourselves reside. It represents the unknown and the unformed, the potential within each of us that has yet to be realized.

Overall, the void is a powerful and mysterious concept in Greek mythology, representing the chaos and potential that underlies all things.

So would Erebus receive souls from Hades?

In Greek mythology, Erebus is often associated with the underworld, but he is not typically depicted as playing a central role in the judgment of souls. Rather, it is the god Hades who is primarily responsible for the souls of the dead and the administration of the underworld. In some versions of the myth, Erebus is said to be a gateway to the underworld, through which the souls of the dead must pass on their journey. However, Erebus is not typically portrayed as actively receiving or judging souls himself.

Instead, Hades is usually depicted as the god who judges the souls of the dead and decides their ultimate fate in the underworld. It is Hades who presides over the River Styx and the various realms of the underworld, and who determines whether a soul will be rewarded or punished in the afterlife. Therefore, while Erebus is associated with the underworld and plays a role in the journey of the soul, he is not typically depicted as receiving or judging souls himself.

Back to my questions on the void, would time move? Or was it always in stasis?

In Greek mythology, the void or Chaos was often depicted as a primordial state of the universe, existing before the creation of the world as we know it. It was a state of formlessness, emptiness, and infinite potential, where time and space had not yet taken shape.

Did Erebus have a hidden meaning? Did he have a message for humanity?

In Greek mythology, Erebus was primarily a symbolic figure associated with darkness, shadow, and the unknown. While he did not have a clear message or meaning for humanity, his role in the mythology can be interpreted in a number of ways. One possible interpretation is that Erebus represents the mysterious and often frightening aspects of life that we struggle to understand. He represents the unknown and the unexplored, the things that lurk in the shadows and challenge our understanding of the world. In this sense, Erebus can be seen as a reminder that there is always more to discover and explore, and that the mysteries of the universe are vast and profound.

Erebus can also be interpreted as a symbol of the unconscious mind, representing the deep, shadowy corners of the psyche where our fears, doubts, and hidden desires reside. In this sense, he represents the importance of exploring our own inner world and coming to terms with the parts of ourselves that we may be uncomfortable with or afraid to face. Overall, while Erebus did not have a clear message or meaning for humanity in the traditional sense, his role as a symbolic figure can be interpreted in a variety of ways that offer insights into the human experience and the mysteries of the universe.

In this sense, it is possible to think of the void as being outside of time, existing in a state of stasis or suspended animation. However, as the universe began to take shape and the gods and the world emerged from Chaos, time also came into being, and the universe began to evolve and change. Therefore, while the void may be thought of as a state of suspended animation, it is also seen as the source of all things and the origin of time itself. The Greek gods and the world they created are seen as emerging from Chaos and shaping the universe over time, so in this sense, time is also an important aspect of the mythology.