Among Greek gods, the Hades god is mainly known for being the ruler of the Underworld and the dead. In Roman mythology, his counterpart is Pluto.
Unlike the other gods who resided on Mount Olympus, Hades’ domain was the underworld, a vast and gloomy realm beneath the earth.
Despite often being associated with death and the macabre, Hades’ role and character are more complex and nuanced than his common portrayal in popular culture.
In this article, I will take you through a detailed exploration of Hades’ origins, attributes, myths, symbols, and his role in Greek religion and mythology.
Table of Contents
Origins and Family of the Hades God
Hades, also known as Plouton (meaning “the Wealthy One”), is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, making him a member of the first generation of Olympian gods. He is the elder brother of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Other siblings include:
When the Hades god and his brothers were born, they were swallowed by their father, Cronus, due to a prophecy that one of his children would one day overthrow him.
They were later rescued by Zeus, who led a rebellion against Cronus and the Titans, resulting in the Titanomachy, a ten-year war between the Olympians and the Titans.
After their victory, the three brothers—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—drew lots to divide the cosmos among themselves. Zeus became the ruler of the sky, Poseidon took control of the sea, and Hades was given dominion over the underworld.
In the picture above, you can see this process taking place.
Hades and The Underworld
The underworld, which is often referred to simply as “Hades,” is a vast and shadowy realm located beneath the earth. It’s where the souls of the deceased would go after death.
The underworld is usually described as a dark and dreary place, separated from the world of the living by the rivers Styx, Acheron, Lethe, Phlegethon, and Cocytus. Each river has its own unique properties and symbolic meanings:
- Styx: The river of hatred, which encircles the underworld.
- Acheron: The river of pain, where the ferryman Charon transports souls across to the entrance of the underworld.
- Lethe: The river of forgetfulness, whose waters caused the souls of the dead to forget their earthly lives.
- Phlegethon: The river of fire.
- Cocytus: The river of wailing.
Hades’ realm is often depicted as a place of judgment, where souls are sent to different regions based on their deeds in life.
The virtuous souls would be sent to the Elysian Fields, a paradise-like area, while the wicked would be condemned to Tartarus, a place of torment.
Those who led neither virtuous nor evil lives resided in the Asphodel Meadows, a neutral area.
The underworld also includes the palace of Hades, guarded by Cerberus, a three-headed dog that prevents the dead from leaving and the living from entering.
Myths Featuring The Hades God
The Hades god is portrayed in a number of Greek myths. Despite the general notion that he is a wicked character, and that he is often depicted as stern, unyielding, and sometimes feared, he is not considered evil.
Unlike later portrayals of the Devil in Christian theology, Hades was not seen as a malevolent being but rather as a necessary part of the cosmic order, presiding over the dead and ensuring the proper balance of life and death.
Hades rarely left the underworld and wasn’t frequently involved in the affairs of gods and mortals. However, several key myths feature him as a key character:
The Abduction of Persephone
One of the most well-known myths involving Hades is the abduction of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter.
According to the myth, the Hades god fell in love with Persephone and abducted her while she was picking flowers, taking her to the underworld to be his wife.
Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility, was devastated by her daughter’s disappearance and caused a great famine by withholding her gifts from the earth.
To resolve the situation, Zeus intervened, and it was decided that Persephone would spend part of the year with her mother on Earth (spring and summer) and the other part with Hades in the underworld (autumn and winter).
Orpheus and Eurydice
Another famous myth involving Hades is that of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Orpheus, a talented musician, descended into the underworld to bring back his deceased wife, Eurydice.
His music was so beautiful that it softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who agreed to let Eurydice return to the world of the living on one condition: Orpheus must not look back at her until they reached the surface.
However, overcome by doubt and anxiety, Orpheus turned to look at Eurydice just before they reached the upper world, and she was lost to him forever.
The Twelve Labors of Heracles
Hades also appears in the myth of Heracles (Hercules) during his Twelfth Labor, which involved capturing Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld.
Heracles sought permission from Hades to take Cerberus to the surface, and Hades agreed, provided Heracles did not use any weapons to subdue the creature.
Heracles succeeded in wrestling Cerberus and brought him to the surface, later returning him to Hades unharmed.
Symbols and Attributes
The Hades god is associated with several symbols that you might have seen in various cartoons, movies or other depictions of him. These are some of the main symbols that reflect his rule over the underworld and his role in Greek mythology:
- The Helm of Darkness (Cap of Invisibility): A magical helmet given to Hades by the Cyclopes during the Titanomachy, which renders the wearer invisible. Hades used this helm to great effect, both in battle and in maintaining his mysterious presence.
- Cerberus: The three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld, ensuring that the dead do not leave and the living do not enter without permission.
- The Bident: A two-pronged staff, similar to Poseidon’s trident, often depicted as a symbol of his authority.
- Cypress Trees and Narcissus Flowers: Plants associated with mourning and death, often connected to Hades and the underworld.
- Cornucopia: Also known as the “horn of plenty,” this symbol signifies the wealth and abundance that comes from the earth, reflecting Hades’ association with the riches found underground, such as precious metals and gems.
Worship and Cult of the Hades God
Hades was a god who was rarely worshipped in the same manner as the Olympian gods like Zeus or Athena.
The Greeks were generally reluctant to invoke Hades’ name directly due to the fear and superstition surrounding death. (Much like Voldemort, who is often referred to as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the books and movies on “Harry Potter”.)
Instead, he was often referred to by euphemisms, such as Plouton (the Wealthy One), which emphasized his control over the earth’s hidden riches.
Despite this, there were certain cults and sanctuaries dedicated to the Hades god, especially in regions like Elis, Epirus, and Eleusis.
These cults were often connected to mystery religions, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, which focused on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, with Hades and Persephone playing central roles in the rituals.
At these sites, rituals were performed to honor Hades and to seek favor for the deceased.
Hades in Art, Literature, and Modern Media
Hades is depicted in many forms of ancient Greek art and literature.
In visual arts, he is often portrayed as a dark-bearded, regal figure with a somber expression, usually wearing a crown or helmet.
He is sometimes shown with his wife, Persephone, or alongside his guardian, Cerberus.
Unlike other gods who are often portrayed in dynamic and heroic scenes, Hades’ imagery is more subdued, reflecting his role as a ruler of the dead.
In literature, Hades appears in the works of poets such as Homer, Hesiod, and later authors like Ovid and Virgil. These texts provide detailed descriptions of his character, myths, and interactions with gods and mortals.
Hades’ image has evolved in modern times, often being misrepresented as a villainous figure akin to the Christian Devil.
However, in Greek mythology, Hades was never evil or demonic, as I mentioned a little earlier in this article; he was simply the impartial overseer of the dead.
Contemporary depictions in literature, film, and video games have varied, with some works staying true to his ancient portrayal as a powerful and enigmatic god, while others emphasize a more sinister or tragic interpretation.
As the god of the underworld, Hades’ role was not to punish the dead but to ensure the balance of life and death in the cosmos.
His myths and symbols reflect deep cultural understandings of death, the afterlife, and the natural cycles of the earth.
Far from being just the god of death, the Hades god has several sides to himself that inspired both fear and respect among the ancient Greeks.