The concepts of the afterlife and underworld in Greek mythology were ever evolving. In later stories it was common to consider the underworld as divided into three main areas; Tartarus, an area of punishment, the Fields of Asphodel, an area of indifference, and Elysium, paradise. Elysium, or the Elysian Fields, was itself also divided.

The Isles of Blest

In early mythology paradise was simply for the heroic, and heroes would live for eternity in the palace of Hades. Later the concept of Elysium changed so that the virtuous would reside in the Lethean Fields, whilst the heroic would stay for eternity in the paradise that was the Isles of the Blest.

The Isles of the Blest were also known as the Fortunate Islands, the Isles of the Blessed and the White Island. The Isles of the Blest were thought to be three islands situated in the flow of Oceanus, the great earth encircling river. Residents would enjoy a blissful eternity, free from any hardship, and even free from the cold of winter. Today the islands are often linked with the known islands of the Azores or Cape Verde.

To get to the Isles of the Blest would normally mean that an individual had died, and then their soul would have been judged worthy by the three judges of the underworld. Judgement though was bypassed by those who were favoured by gods and goddesses.

Residents of the Isles of the Blest

There is no concise list of those in Greek mythology who were blessed to spend eternity on the islands, although it might be assumed that all the heroes written of in the stories of Ancient Greece were present. There are actually only a handful of names commonly mentioned as being blessed with eternal paradise.

Earliest residents –

King Rhadamanthys – Rhadamanthys was a son of Zeus and Europa, and brother to King Minos. Upon his death he would be made one of the judges of the underworld, and king of the Elysian Fields.

Cadmus and Harmonia – Cadmus and Harmonia were the founding king and queen of the Grecian city of Thebes. Cadmus was also the hero who killed the serpent of Ares who had killed his companions.

Peleus – Another hero is said to reside on the Isles of the Blest was Peleus, a hero who had taken part in the quest for the Golden Fleece and also the Calydonian Hunt. Even as an old man he would come to the rescue of Andromache when the Trojan princess was threatened.

Medea – Medea was daughter of Aeetes and lover of Jason; the sorceress would be admitted to Elysium despite killing her brother and her sons by Jason, and trying to kill Theseus.

Alcmene – Alcmene was the wife of Amphitryon and one of the most beautiful of all mortals. Zeus honoured her with a place on the Isles of Blest, for giving birth to his son, Heracles.

Orpheus and Eurydice – Orpheus was a hero who had been one of the Argonauts, although he is more famous for his musical ability and the quest to bring his deceased wife back from the underworld. After Orpheus died though, husband and wife were reunited.

Obvious omissions from the commonly written down early residents of the Isles of the Blest include Theseus, Perseus, and Jason, three of the best known heroes of Greek mythology.

New residents after the Trojan War –

The Trojan War saw an end to the time of heroes, and most of the heroes of the period would die during, or soon after the end of the Trojan War. Some though would appear time and time again as being blessed with eternal paradise.

Achilles – Achilles is probably the most famous hero who fought at Troy, and although almost impervious to weaponry, before his heel was hit by an arrow from Paris.

The two Ajaxs – Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Lesser were amongst the most noted of Greek heroes, although it is the former who is regarded to be the greater fighter. Ajax the Greater would die on his own sword, whilst the second Ajax was killed by the gods on his voyage home.

Diomedes – Diomedes was amongst the greatest of the heroes to fight on the Achaean side during the Trojan War. Diomedes would fight through the war, and then travel to Italy where he was said to have lived for a long time.

Memnon – Memnon was a Trojan hero, king of Aethiopia, and beloved of Zeus. Memnon was killed by Achilles during the fighting outside of Troy.

Menelaus – The Spartan king, Menelaus was amongst the heroes fighting for Troy although he was not considered to be the most prominent of fighters. Menelaus was particularly known for being the husband of Helen.

Neoptoemos – The son of Achilles, Neoptoemos would take over where his father left off, and the son of Achilles would enter Troy with the remaining Greek heroes. Neoptoemos would alter be killed by Orestes.

Iphigenia – Iphigenia was the daughter of King Agamemnon who was sacrificed so that good winds would carry the Achaean fleet to Troy; whilst the daughter is named often as a resident on the Blessed Isles, her father is less often named.

Penelope, Telemachus and Telegonus – Odysseus is one of the best known Greek heroes, and the central character of Homer’s Odyssey. His wife and sons (one by Penelope and one by Circe) were all present on the Isles of the Blest, although Odysseus is less commonly mentioned as a resident.  

Euphorion – Euphorion was a new resident to the Isles of the Blest after the Trojan War, but not because he died, but because he was born there. Eyphorion was said to be the son of Achilles and Helen. Euphorion though was mortal, and would later be killed by Zeus, when he angered the god.

The omission of many famous names from the list of residents of the Isles of the Blest is probably more to do with the presumption that they were obvious residents rather than the fact that they weren’t spending all eternity in paradise.

Reincarnation

Eventually the idea of reincarnation was incorporated into religious ceremonies in Ancient Greece, and the criterion for entrance to the Isles of the Blest was altered. Those souls that were admitted to Elysium would be given the option of being reincarnated. Those who chose that option, and were then successfully admitted to Elysium three more times, would be transported to the Isles of the Blest.

The idea of the Isles of the Blest was an evolution of the idea of paradise, and an ideal eternity which every mortal would aspire to.