Hades: God of the Underworld

Overview

• Hades is the god of the dead and the king of the underworld in ancient Greek religion and mythology.
• Eldest son of Cronus and Rhea.
• Brothers: Zeus (sky) and Poseidon (sea).
• Hades is associated with death and is not considered evil but stern and just.
• Roman equivalent: Pluto, also known as Dis Pater or Orcus.

Symbols and Iconography

• Symbol: Bident, cornucopia, cypress, narcissus, keys, serpent, mint plant, white poplar, pomegranate, sheep, chariot, screech owl.
• Depictions: Often shown with a bident, wearing a helm, and accompanied by Cerberus, the three-headed guard-dog of the underworld.

Etymology

• Hades’ name possibly means "the unseen one" or "the one who presides over meeting up".
• Euphemistically referred to as Plouton ("the rich one") due to the riches mined from under the earth.

Mythological Role

• Ruler of the Underworld: Ensures no souls escape, punishes those who attempt to cheat death.
• Assisted by the Furies and other figures.

Key Myths

Titanomachy

• Hades and siblings defeated Titans and divided realms – Hades received the underworld.

Abduction of Persephone

• Hades abducted Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, to be his queen.
• Demeter's curse caused a famine until Persephone's periodic return from the underworld was agreed upon.

Visitors to the Underworld

• Notable visitors include Heracles, Orpheus, Theseus, and Aeneas; each had unique experiences, often seeking to retrieve loved ones or complete quests.

Underworld Geography

• Comprises the Asphodel Meadows, Elysium, and Tartarus.
• Notable rivers: Styx (boundary), Acheron (sorrow), Cocytus (lamentation), Phlegethon (fire), Lethe (oblivion).
• Entrance guarded by Cerberus, spirits ferried by Charon.

Cultural Depictions and Influence

• Greeks avoided invoking Hades directly, often using euphemisms.
• Associated with wealth and fertility due to the earth's riches.
• In Roman times, viewed more positively as Pluto, a bringer of wealth.
• Hades sometimes conflated with Dionysus, reflecting complex dual identities in mythology.

Artistic Representations

• Rarely depicted due to fear; art often accompanies stories like the Rape of Persephone.
• Attributes include a dark beard, stately figure, and symbols like the key and Cerberus.

Legacy

• Hades remains a key figure in Greek mythology, symbolizing death's inevitability and the finality of life.
• His story is integral to understanding Greek religious beliefs about the afterlife and the balance of nature.