Katabasis in classical mythology

In Greek and Roman mythology, Odysseus (; , ), also known by the Latin variant Ulysses (, ; ), is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in that same epic cycle.

thumb|Aeneas flees burning Troy, Federico Barocci, 1598 ([[Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy)]]

thumb|Theseus after having slain the Minotaur, freeing captive Athenian boys; Cretans approaching to marvel the scene, Antique fresco from [[Pompeii]] Theseus (, ; ) was a divine hero in Greek mythology, famous for slaying the Minotaur. The myths surrounding Theseus, his journeys, exploits, and friends, have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages.

thumb|alt=Sisyphus depicted on a black-figure amphora vase |Persephone supervising Sisyphus in the Underworld, Attic [[black-figure amphora, BC, Staatliche Antikensammlungen]] thumb|Sisyphus and Amphiaraus, copy of a mural in the [[François Tomb, Vulci, made in 4th century BC]]

In Greek mythology, Orpheus (; , classical pronunciation: ) was a Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet. He was also a renowned poet and, according to legend, travelled with Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, and descended into the underworld to recover his lost wife, Eurydice.

mythical lover of Eros/Cupid

thumb|300px|right|alt=A person with flowing robes holding a staff strikes two intertwined snakes on the ground|Tiresias strikes two snakes with a stick, and is transformed into a woman by Hera. Engraving by Johann Ulrich Kraus c. 1690. Taken from Die Verwandlungen des Ovidii (The Metamorphoses of Ovid). thumb|300px|alt=A baroque painting showing a male and female figure together|Pietro della Vecchia, Tiresias Transformed into a Woman, 17th century. In Greek mythology, Tiresias (; ) was a blind prophet of Apollo in Thebes, famous for clairvoyance and for being transformed into a woman for seven

thumb|upright=1.2|Pirithous and Hippodamia (wife of Pirithous)|Hippodamia receiving the centaurs at his wedding. Antique fresco from Pompeii. thumb|"Pirithous' Kampf um Helena" by Joseph Echteler and [[Richard Brend'amour]]

comedy by Aristophanes

story from the Metamorphoses of Apuleius

thumb|upright=1|The Shade of Tiresias Appearing to [[Odysseus during the Sacrifice (c. 1780-85), painting by Johann Heinrich Füssli, showing a scene from Book Eleven of the Odyssey]]

In Greek mythology, Echemeia () is a minor character who angered the goddess Artemis.