place
Avernus
also: Averna, Avernian places
The 'birdless' places (Greek a-ornos) near Cumae, including Lake Avernus, whose poisonous vapors kill birds that fly over; Lucretius explains them naturally, denying they are a gate to the underworld.
Reading notes
- On the Nature of Things §6.21 Avernian
The Avernian places (from Greek a-ornos, 'birdless'), led by Lake Avernus near Cumae, whose vapors kill overflying birds; Lucretius denies they are an entrance to the underworld.