Erebus - Definition and Overview

In Greek mythology, Erebus, or Érebos was a primordial god, personification of darkness, offspring of Chaos alone. He was brother of Nyx and father of Aether by himself and, with Nyx, Hemera, Moros, Charon, Eros and the Keres.

According to some later legends, Erebus was part of Hades, the underworld. It was where the dead had to pass immediately after dying. After Charon ferried them across the river Acheron, they entered Tartarus, the underworld proper.

Erebus was often used as a synonym for Hades, the god.

Mount Erebus is an Antarctic volcano.

The HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror were the ships carrying Sir John Franklin's failed expedition to find the Northwest Passage.

Aristophanes, Birds; Hesiod, Theogony.