Asphodelus ramosus (*)

The Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus) is the flower said to fill the plains of Hades, the mythological Greek underworld. As it was considered the favourite food of the dead, the ancient Greeks would often plant it near graves. The Asphodel is sacred to Persephone, or Proserpina in Roman mythology, who was forcefully taken to the underworld by Hades (Pluto). Persephone is the daughter of Demeter (Ceres).

History

This plant has one of the earliest recorded histories of any species, having been given a detailed description by Hesiod circa 8th century BC [1]. According to Lord Monboddo's reading of Homer, the asphodel is considered by Homer as "the best food of men" and Monboddo further notes that in Homer's Odyssey: "The heroes of Elysium, as living in a meadow covered with Asphodel"[2]. In the same letter of Monboddo to Hope, it is indicated that asphodel may be the same plant some Greeks called "scilla", which plant is described by Pliny, Galen and Dioscorides. It is also referenced in William Carlos Williams' poem, "Asphodel, that greeny flower", when he compares it to his love.

Victor Hugo, in his poem Booz Endormi, suggests that the perfume that Ruth wears when she approaches Boaz is that of the asphodel.

References

1. ^ Hesiod, Opera et Dies, v. 41 ca 8th century BC
   
2. ^ *Letter from Monboddo to John Hope, 29 April, 1779; reprinted by William Knight 1900 ISBN 1-85506-207-0

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

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