What is Avernus?
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An entrance to the underworld
A crater lake near Naples.
💡 Did you know? It still exists today as “Lago d’Averno”.
6 of 12 questions with answers
What does the name Avernus mean?
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Without birds
Poisonous vapours were said to kill birds.
💡 Did you know? So the lake was regarded as eerie.
Which hero descended into the underworld here, according to Virgil?
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Aeneas
The forefather of the Romans.
💡 Did you know? The Sibyl of Cumae led him down.
To which mythology does Avernus belong?
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Roman mythology
A famous gateway to the world of the dead.
💡 Did you know? “Avernus” became a byword for the underworld itself.
What is Avernus geographically?
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A crater lake
A volcanic maar lake near Naples.
💡 Did you know? The Phlegraean Fields steam to this day.
Why did birds avoid the lake according to legend?
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Because of poisonous fumes
Sulphur fumes were said to kill them in flight.
💡 Did you know? Hence the name: “a-ornos”, without birds.
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