Shade (mythology)

In poetry and literature, a shade (translating Greek σκιά,[1] Latin umbra[2]) is the spirit or ghost of a dead person, residing in the underworld.

An underworld where the dead live in shadow was common to beliefs in the ancient Near East.

"death-shadow", "shadow of death") as an alternate term for Sheol.

Only select individuals were believed to be exempt from the fate of dwelling in shadow after death.

Plutarch relates how Alexander the Great was inconsolable after the death of Hephaistion up to the moment he received an oracle of Ammon confirming that the deceased was a hero, i.e. enjoyed the status of a divinity.