Surrounded by an outer wall of iron, this terrible place was enclosed within a wall of adamant.
Pluto is generally represented as holding a trident with three prongs, and has a key in his hand, to intimate that whoever enters can never return. He is considered as a hard-hearted and inexorable deity, with a grim and dismal countenance, for which reason, temples were not raised to his honour, as to the remainder of the gods; though the story of Orpheus shews that he could be occasionally less severe.
"When ill-fated Orpheus tuned to woe
His potent lyre, and sought the realms below;
Charmed into life unreal forms respired,
And list'ning shades the dulcet note admired.
Love led the sage through Death's tremendous porch,
Cheered with his smile, and lighted with his torch;
Hell's triple dog his playful jaws expands,