A Dissertation on the Eleusinian and Bacchic Mysteries

“and elevates its eye from the overwhelming mire. For to be plunged in matter is to descend into Hades Hades: the classical underworld; used here metaphorically for the material world of corruption, and there fall asleep.” This passage doubtless alludes to the ancient and beautiful story of Cupid and Psyche, in which Psyche is said to fall asleep in Hades; and this through rashly attempting to behold corporeal beauty: and the observation of Plotinus will enable the profound and contemplative reader to unfold the greater part of the mysteries contained in this elegant fable.

But, prior to Plotinus, Plato, in the seventh book of his Republic, asserts that such as are unable in the present life to perceive the "idea of the good" will descend to Hades after death and fall asleep in its dark abodes. The extensive Greek quote provided in the original text discusses the necessity of dialectical reason in perceiving the "good" and warns that those who do not attain this knowledge will remain trapped in the illusions of dreams and the sleep of Hades.