In ancient times, if you were a mighty hero or favored by the gods, you might end up in the Elysian Fields after death. This forever-happy land was certainly a good place to spend eternity.

In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields (also spelt as Elysium) is considered the paradise where gods and nobles would spend eternity in the afterlife. The inhabitants are believed to live in perfect joy and happiness, and they were a predecessor towards the Biblical Garden of Eden.

Within the luscious meadows, the inhabitants make music, sing and even play sport. Hades and Persephone resided in there and held their royal court.

The renowned poet and writer Homer believed the location to this paradise to exist in the east, and the very edge and end of the Earth. He approximated it as on the shores of the Oceanus, which is a river that flowed around the Earth. Hesiod referred to the fields as the Isle of the Blessed.

A second location was also possible. The Underworld that was separated by Hades from the Lethe River. The paradise was promised to the initiates of the mystery cults of the Goddess Demeter, the demi-goddess Persephone, and Hecate. They were taught that if they were to live virtuous lives, they would be elevated to the status of a god upon their death and become immortal.

With their new found immortality, they would be able to gain access to their promised Outopia (Utopia) and live in eternal bliss.

The two concepts of the Elysian Fields were finally combined, and if a soul passed through the netherworld of the fields three times, it would then progress on to the Isle of the Blessed, or the ultimate paradise.

Later Greek writer did assess this legend, and considered the location to be at the mouth of the Danube River, and the Isle of the Blessed within the Atlantic Ocean.

Homer described the fields as a Paradise within his works of The Odyssey.

Hesiod, in his Works and Days, makes mention of the Isle of the Blessed.

Pindar believed the paradise to be contained on a single island.

Virgil described the fields as being shady, with temperate weather, and possessing its own sun and stars.

Dante supposed that the Elysian Fields were the uppermost level of hell, where non-Christians would be sent, instead of Heavern.

Friedrich Schiller in his Ode to Joy, views the fields as filled with song, joy, and games.

During the 16th century, an outlying garden existed in the Tuileries Palace in France that was given the name, Les Champs-Elysees. The name translated as the Elysian Fields; however, it was later retained by the iconic avenue in Paris.

William Shakespeare made reference to a general paradise in his play Twelfth Night.

Only gods, and those favored by them, were allowed to enter the Paradise. However, further access was given in later references. Those who lived a virtuous life could also enjoy the eternal happiness offered by the heavenly realm.

There were many theories about who ruled this domain. Pindar and Hesiod were Team Cronus, which Homer was Team Rhadamanthus. When mortals would enter Hades, they would be sent to the Elysian Fields if they were only considered to be virtuous, to the Asphodel meadows if they had been both good and evil, and to Tartarus if they were downright evil. The souls that headed towards the Elysian Fields would first drink from the Lethe River and forget their suffering on Earth.

In the future, many Neopagans believed Elysium to be a multi-layered paradise, with lush green fields and bubbling brooks of water and wine. These Neopagans could gain access to the Golden City, and enjoy a blissful eternity.

In 1972, the Elysium Mons, a volcano in the volcanic province in Elysium was named.

A science fiction adaptation was released of Elysium in 2013. The plot recounts the story of extremely wealthy citizens who resides in a manmade paradise called Elysium.