For the Love of Hades (The Loves of Olympus) (26 page)

Chiton – men’s tunic of lightweight fabric.

Chlamys – a short cloak, worn by men and women, made from one seamless piece of material.

Doru – a spear, 7-9 feet long, used by the Greek infantrymen .

Ekdromos/Ekdromoi – skilled infantrymen used for special missions or close combat.

Epiblema – a woman’s shawl.

Himation – a thick cloak, large enough to be used as a blanket or folded into a pillow.

Hoplite – Greek infantryman.

Kline – a fainting couch or day bed used for social gatherings.

Linothorax – armor worn by more military leaders or affluent soldiers. Made of thick padded leather, fabric covered in metal scales of metal – depending upon the soldiers ability to pay. Not all soldiers could afford armor.

Oikos – the household. Not the house itself but the property, livestock, family and slaves.

Peltasts & Psiloi – foot soldiers without extensive training.

Peplos – a full length tunic worn by women, usually made from one large piece of fabric to be pinned, sewn or draped.

Shades – souls or ghosts.

Strategoi – ten generals chosen from ten Greek tribes.

Trireme – a ship, propelled by three rows of oars, possibly 25 or more oars, on each side.

Xiphos – soldier’s short sword used as a secondary weapon to the spear/doru.

Levels of the Underworld

Elysium or Elysian Fields – reserved for heroes or special mortals, this was ‘Heaven’ to the Greeks.

Asphodel Fields – Most occupied level of the Underworld, it was neutral – shades that came here had neither good nor bad.

Tartarus – Feared by all, this was ‘Hell’ to the Greeks.

Rivers into the Underworld

River Acheron – River of Woe

Lethe River – River of Forgetfulness

The River Styx – River of Hate

Pyriphlegethon – River of Fire

Cocytus River – River of Wailing

The Abduction of Persephone – According to most myths, Hades was taking a chariot ride, spied Persephone, and could not resist himself. He kidnapped her, took her to the Underworld, and kept her there until she’d eaten food grown in the Underworld, preventing her from ever being able to return permanently to Earth & Olympus.

Cerberus – The three headed dog of Hades was never three separate hounds. His job was to guard the entrance to the Underworld. He had a fondness for human flesh and a nasty temper. He was on the list of Hercules’ Twelve Labors and was carried from the Underworld by Hercules.

The Eleusinian Mysteries – Secret rites performed in honor of Persephone and Demeter. The Lesser Mysteries were performed for the harvest and the Greater Mysteries coincided with the planting season. The secrecy of these rites was kept so well that today’s scholars do not know the particulars of the actual rituals performed. So referring to them as Mysteries is very fitting.

Erysichthon and Demeter’s Sacred Grove – Erysichthon had nothing to do with Persephone, he was simply a king with an ego. He started chopping down Demeter’s sacred grove (and killed a wood nymph in the process). Demeter appeared to warn him from his course of action, but he ignored her. His goal: to build the most amazing feasting hall in existence. So Demeter cursed him with insatiable hunger and he did end up selling his daughter and eating himself.

Thanks to Suzanne Clark and the ‘Shakers’ for your unwavering support.

To Stephanie Dray for loving
Medusa, A Love Story
enough to put her name on it.

To my parents – thank you for nurturing my dreams & teaching me to love stories of all kinds.

Thank you, Donna O’Brien, for picking this series for Crescent Moon Press. Steph Murray and Jeannie Reusch, you’ve made my books beautiful! Sincere thanks to Candice Lindstrom for getting ‘me’ and my books, and wanting them to shine as much as I do!

Very special thanks to my little family: Shane, Summer, Emma, Jakob and Kaleb. You keep my roots firmly grounded while letting my imagination soar.

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates, even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.