Final answer:
Souls that particularly displeased the gods faced punishments such as death, devastation, or torment in the afterlife across various mythologies, including a judgment that could grant virtuous souls eternal life or condemn wicked souls to destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fate of souls who displeased the gods varied across different cultures and mythologies. In Mesopotamian myths, the gods could bring death and devastation for offences as seemingly petty as disturbing their sleep. Ancient Greek beliefs, as captured in Plato's writings and other sources like the Orphic Gold Leaves, suggest a more nuanced afterlife, with sinners facing punishment in realms like Tartarus and others possibly going through a cycle of reincarnation.
In Egyptian beliefs, souls were judged against the ideals of harmony and order, with virtuous souls granted eternal life, while the wicked could be devoured by a demon, leading to their destruction. Zoroastrianism postulated a final judgment where evil-doers would face torment in hell after a cosmic battle between good and evil forces.
Overall, the displeasure of the gods generally led to various forms of retribution, ranging from direct punishment to enduring cycles of reincarnation, depending on the particular religious or mythological context.