Another noticeable difference is that apparitions in most well-authenticated modern ghost stories are of a comforting character, whereas those in the ancient world are nearly all the reverse. This difference we may attribute to the entire change in the aspect of the future life which we owe to modern Christianity. As we have seen, there was little that was comforting in the life after death as conceived by the old pagan religions, while in medieval times the horrors of hell were painted in the most lurid colours, and were emphasized more than the joys of heaven.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] Cic., Murena, 27.
[26] Ep., i. 18.
[27] Ibid., 3. 5. 4.
[28] Chap. II
[29] Dio Cass., Domitian, 9.