In Greek myth, a singer and lyre-player whose music was so beautiful it could tame wild beasts. When his wife Eurydice was killed by a snake, Orpheus descended to the Underworld to bring her back. After charming Hades with his music, Orpheus was permitted to retrieve his wife on condition that he not look back at her until they had returned to daylight. Just before reaching safety, Orpheus violated this condition, and Eurydice was returned to the Underworld permanently.