Necromanteion of Acheron

Overview

The Nekromanteion (Νεκρομαντεῖον) is the main Temple of Necromancy (the divination art of contacting the dead), and is devoted to both Hades and Persephone.

Location

It is located on the banks of the Acheron river and formed a lake that was also the confluence of the three rivers of the Acheron (Joyless), Pyriphlegethon (Burning Coals) and Cocytus (Lamentation) rivers, which flow through the kingdom of Hades.

Ever since ancient times, the resulting lake has flowed into the three rivers and is described in all writings as an evil place, with black waters within which all life, just dies.

Oracular Temple

Deep below the simple temple, lies a central sanctuary building of the oracle of the dead which is a polygonal shape. The sanctuary is divided into three sections, a central aisle without divisions (beneath which there is an even deeper vaulted crypt), and two side sections each divided into three rooms. The underground caverns are carved to a height of 3.5 m; and the entire area shows signs of earthquake and fire damage from the efforts of Poseidon to remove the Hadean Haven from his continent.