Orpheus and Eurydice: A tale of two star-crossed lovers 

You may have read and heard of many tragic love stories while growing up. Most of them are from the world of literature. But one of the most touching love stories with a tragic end can be found in the Greek mythology. We are talking about Orpheus, a talented musician and his wife Eurydice. Their tragic tale of death and separation has inspired many artists, operas, songs and plays throughout history. The first written account of their love is found in the Greek lyric poet Ibycus, who lived around 530 BC. Want to know more about the heart-breaking story of this gifted musician from Greek mythology? Read on. 

Orpheus: The gifted musician 
Back in the ancient times, Orpheus was regarded as the most gifted musician of Greece. According to Greek mythology, he was the son of Calliope the Greek Muse of Epic Poetry and Apollo, one of the most prominent Greek Gods associated almost everything from sun and truth to music and archery.  As a child, Orpheus quickly learned the lyre, a U- shaped harp used in ancient Greece. He had a beautiful voice that could enchant anyone from gods to humans. As the myth goes, even the rocks and trees would move to get close to him. Almost everyone who heard him sing or play immediately fell in love with him, and so did Eurydice. They met during a gathering where Orpheus was asked to perform. Eurydice was enamoured by Orpheus’ beautiful voice. Soon, they got married. After getting married, Orpheus and Eurydice enjoyed a happy life together until a horrible cut short the life of Eurydice.  

Eurydice loses her life  
Aristaeus, a shepherd, was intent on capturing Eurydice. There are many versions as to why Aristaeus wanted to do that. One of the most accepted tales is that he was so enamoured by her beauty that he started pursuing her. On one such occasion, while running to away avoid capture, Eurydice fell into a snake pit and was bitten by a poisonous viper. This ultimately resulted in her death.  

A futile attempt to bring back Eurydice 
After discovering his wife’s dead body, a devastated Orpheus expressed his grief by singing the most mournful songs. Suddenly, he had a brilliant but insane idea: He would visit the Underworld, the world of the dead, and try to win back his wife’s life! So, Orpheus met Hades, the god of the Underworld, and his wife, Persephone. He begged them to allow him to take his wife back. Their hearts melted with the melody and melancholy of the songs that Orpheus sang and they agreed. But there was a condition. When Eurydice would follow Orpheus on their way out of the Underworld, Orpheus shouldn’t look back. Hades cautioned the lovelorn husband that he  should only turn his back when both of them were out of the cave and into the light. Elated, Orpheus started his journey back with Eurydice following him. When they arrived at the cave’s entrance, Orpheus turned around to see if Eurydice was there and immediately, his wife vanished back into the Underworld. That was the time when Orpheus lost his love forever as he overruled Hades’ instruction for a moment. 

The tragic death of Orpheus 
Orpheus was naturally dejected at this irrecoverable loss. His only comfort was to lie on a large rock and enjoy the breeze; this way the only thing he could see was the clear skies! On one such occasion, while Orpheus was lying on a rock, a mob of women who were passing by became furious as to how he was disinterested in them. However, a grieving Orpheus could care little about what they were thinking. The angry mob charged at him, killing Orpheus by dissecting and dumping his body parts and lyre into a river. According to legend, his head and lyre floated to the island of Lesvos in Greece while travelling downstream. The Muses, a group of Greek sister goddesses, discovered him there and arranged an honourable funeral for Orpheus. People said they could hear music from his grave that was both lovely and sad. Finally, his soul travelled to Hades, where he met his beloved Eurydice once more.