Final answer:
The destiny of dead bodies after the Battle of Armageddon is grounded in eschatological beliefs of Abrahamic faiths, with a clear distinction between those who rise for judgment and those left unattended. Bodies' treatment post-battle varies widely, from religious burials facing significant religious directions to their use as wartime strategies or desecration based on their earthly deeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of what happens to the bodies after the Battle of Armageddon aligns with eschatological beliefs found in Abrahamic faiths. The common viewpoint suggests that, after large-scale conflicts like Armageddon, the dead would either rise on Judgment Day or their fate would be a reflection of their earthly deeds. The biblical passage JE 16:4 mentions that some shall die without lamentation or burial, becoming as 'dung upon the face of the earth.' This is a stark contrast to the Anastasis, depicted in artworks, where Christ descends into Hades and raises the righteous dead from their tombs, highlighting the theme of resurrection and alluding to the world's end scenarios.
Cultural and religious practices also influence the treatment of corpses. Burial traditions, such as facing the deceased towards Mecca or eastwards towards Christ's rising, signify the belief that the dead will be resurrected or judged. However, during wartime or following disasters, such as the siege where corpses were launched into a city to cause disease, those luxuries of tradition may not apply, and the dead bodies become tools of warfare or are left unattended due to the circumstances.
Historically, different cultures have treated the corpses of the dishonored differently, as seen in the excerpts referencing the unburied body of Polyneices and the bandit skeleton. These cases exhibit how societal views towards the deceased can vary based on their actions in life or status in society. Overall, the destiny of dead bodies after cataclysmic events can be influenced by a mix of religious beliefs, cultural practices, and wartime exigencies.