ΤΑΡΤΑΡΟΣ
Tartarus, the deepest and darkest abyss of the Underworld in Greek mythology, serves as a prison for the Titans and a place of punishment. In the New Testament, the verb "ταρταρόω" is used to describe the condemnation of fallen angels, imbuing Tartarus with a profound theological dimension as a place of eternal retribution. Its lexarithmos (1072) suggests a mathematical connection to the concept of complete isolation and definitive judgment.
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In classical Greek mythology, Tartarus (τάρταρος, ὁ) denotes the lowest region of the Underworld, situated far beneath Hades. It is primarily depicted as a deep, gloomy abyss, a chasm of immense proportions, used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the most heinous offenders. Hesiod, in his «Theogony», famously describes Tartarus as the prison where Zeus confined the defeated Titans, a place as distant from the earth as the earth is from the sky.
Beyond its mythological role, Tartarus acquired philosophical significance, particularly in Plato's works. In dialogues such as the «Gorgias» and «Phaedo», it is presented as the ultimate destination for souls deemed incurably wicked, where they undergo eternal punishment. This philosophical interpretation elevated Tartarus from a mere mythological prison to a symbol of divine justice and moral retribution.
The term's theological import is solidified in Koine Greek, specifically in the New Testament. The verb «ταρταρόω» (to cast into Tartarus) appears in 2 Peter 2:4, referring to God's judgment upon angels who sinned, consigning them to chains of gloomy darkness until judgment. This usage firmly establishes Tartarus as a concept within Christian eschatology, representing a place of severe, inescapable punishment for supernatural beings.
It is crucial to distinguish Tartarus from Hades. While Hades is the general realm of the dead, the abode of all departed souls, Tartarus is a specific, deeper, and more dreadful region within or beneath Hades, reserved for extreme punishment, particularly for those who defied the gods or committed unforgivable sins.
Etymology
From this original root, the Greek language generated a small but cohesive family of words that describe the state or relationship with this place. Derivatives include verbs denoting the act of casting into Tartarus, adjectives characterizing what belongs to it, and compound words describing beings or conditions directly associated with this deep chasm.
Main Meanings
- The Deepest Part of the Underworld — The lowest region, beneath Hades, characterized by unfathomable depth and darkness.
- Prison for the Titans — The place where Zeus imprisoned the defeated Titans and other enemies of the gods, as described by Hesiod.
- Place of Punishment for the Impious — In Platonic philosophy, the destination for souls who have committed incurably wicked deeds, where they undergo eternal retribution.
- Symbol of Absolute Condemnation — A metaphorical concept representing definitive judgment, ultimate darkness, and eternal loss.
- Place of Punishment for Fallen Angels — In Christian theology (2 Peter 2:4), the realm where sinful angels have been condemned and are held awaiting final judgment.
- Expression for an Inaccessible Depth — Used to describe any terrifying, inaccessible, or unexplored depth, whether literal or metaphorical.
Word Family
tartar- (root of Tartarus)
The root tartar- is directly linked to the name Tartarus itself, signifying a deep, dark chasm. The nature of this root, likely onomatopoeic, did not allow for the production of a large word family, but the few words that were formed precisely describe the relationship with this mythical and later theological place. Each derivative either describes the act of condemnation, the quality of belonging to Tartarus, or a position within it.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of Tartarus evolved from a mythological locale to a theological symbol of eternal punishment, always retaining its significance as an ultimate boundary.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages that highlight the evolution of the concept of Tartarus from mythology to theology.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΤΑΡΤΑΡΟΣ is 1072, from the sum of its letter values:
1072 decomposes into 1000 (hundreds) + 70 (tens) + 2 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΤΑΡΤΑΡΟΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1072 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 1 | 1+0+7+2 = 10. The decad, a number of completeness and finality, here in the sense of definitive judgment and an ultimate end. |
| Letter Count | 8 | 8 letters (T-A-R-T-A-R-O-S). The octad, a number of regeneration or new beginnings, but in the case of Tartarus, perhaps of the eternal repetition of punishment or definitive severance from rebirth. |
| Cumulative | 2/70/1000 | Units 2 · Tens 70 · Hundreds 1000 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | T-A-R-T-A-R-O-S | Terrifying Abyss, Realm of Torment, Absolute Retribution, Total Oblivion, Severe Suffering. |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 5C · 0A · 0H | 3 vowels (A, O), 5 consonants (T, R, S). The absence of rough and smooth breathings enhances the sense of weight and depth. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mercury ☿ / Leo ♌ | 1072 mod 7 = 1 · 1072 mod 12 = 4 |
Isopsephic Words (1072)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1072) as Tartarus, but from different roots, offer interesting comparisons and contrasts.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 79 words with lexarithmos 1072. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Hesiod — Theogony. Edited and translated by M. L. West. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1966.
- Plato — Gorgias. Translated by W. R. M. Lamb. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925.
- Plato — Phaedo. Translated by H. N. Fowler. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG). 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Nestle-Aland — Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
- Orphicorum Fragmenta — Edited by Otto Kern. Berlin: Weidmann, 1922.