Appendix 17

The Fortunate Isles, also called the Isles of the Blessed and occasionally rendered as Isles of the Blest (μακάρων νῆσοι makárôn nêsoi) is where heroes and other favoured mortals in Greek and Celtic mythology were received by the gods. In Greek mythology, the islands were reserved for those who had chosen to be reincarnated thrice, and managed to be judged as especially pure enough to gain entrance to the Elysian Fields all three times.  They are mentioned in the Life of Apollonius of Tyana by Flavius Philostratus and by Plutarch, who refers to the “fortunate isles” several times in his writings where they are called the Isles of the Blessed.