Tracks the evolution of hell via classical literature.
This paper plots the evolution of hell by examining the ancient literature of different eras. The paper points out how society’s current perception of hell is drastically different from the perception of hell held originally by the masses.
For thousands of years the perception of hell and the afterlife has evolved. Currently society thinks of it as a den of eternal torture, full of fire, sulfur, and brimstone; however, this was not always the case. Relative to the age of the afterlife, hell is a new idea. Nevertheless, hell has changed much in its short lifespan. By studying ancient literature, we are able to track this evolution. Long ago, souls were not judged and went unpunished. Long ago, hell as an inferno of torment was just blooming inside the head of men. In this time, there was no hell.