Re-embodiments of the Soul, for Seeing Is Believing

Perhaps the most frequent recourse to invisibility by humanity alleviates the certainty of dying. Dead bodies are palpably manifest, but souls or spirits must be invisible. Yet in order to envision an afterlife souls are re-embodied, to imagine what goes on in heaven—or hell. This essay argues that Christian belief in immortality depends far more on Classicle mythology than is usually taught or believed. Homer and Vergil's Aeneid serve as the primary classical texts, and the author is indebted to Peter Brown's research and writings for coming to terms with second- to seventh-century Christianity.