What emotion did ancient Romans and Greeks fear that the dead might experience?

In ancient Roman and Greek cultures, the fear of jealousy, particularly in the context of the dead, stemmed from the belief that spirits could harbor resentments or covetous feelings toward the living. This notion was deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs of the time, where the line between the living and the dead was seen as permeable. The dead were thought to be capable of influencing the living world, and jealousy could lead to vengeful actions against those who were perceived to have wronged them in life or who were enjoying life’s pleasures at the expense of the deceased.

While other emotions like anger, sorrow, and regret were indeed present in discussions of death and the afterlife, jealousy was specifically tied to the actions and interactions between the living and the spirits of the dead. There was a concern that unresolved feelings or unfulfilled desires could lead the dead to become malevolent or to seek revenge on the living. Rituals and offerings were often performed to appease these potentially jealous spirits and ensure peace in both realms.