Three judges sat in judgment on those who entered the Underworld. Their names were Rhadamanthus, Minos, and Aeacus.

Rhadamanthus and Minos were brothers, the sons of Zeus and Europa. Zeus, disguised as a beautiful bull, had abducted Europa across the sea to Crete (read about their love myth 'Zeus and Europa' in "Fables."). Rhadamantus and Minos, with their brother Sarpedon, were adopted by Europa's husband Asterius, king of Crete, to whom she had borne a daughter named Crete. Asterius, having no sons of his own, adopted the three boys. When he died, his kingdom was divided into thirds. Rhadamanthus was considered wise and just, and Minos was considered to be vengeful. He was the unfortunate whose wife fell in love with a bull sent by Poseidon; the resulting child was the Minotaur, which Minos kept in a labyrinth.

Aeacus was the son of Zeus and Aegina, and he was a great leader and general. He was also a rival of his step-brother Minos.

When the three died, because of their great wisdom and worthy lives they were assigned to judge the newly dead as they entered. Rhadamanthus was assigned the task of judging Asiatics. Minos judged the most difficult cases.

ACTIVITIES:
Judges activity

KEY TEST WORDS:
Judges of the Underworld: Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus.

The Underworld

Creatures

Footnotes:
Aeacus was given menial tasks and was often seen as the gatekeeper.

SOURCES:
Jane Smith
Edith Hamilton's Mythology
Bulfinch's Mythology
Michael Gibson's Gods, Men, and Monsters from the Greek Myths
"Manual of Mythology" by Alexander S. Murray.