Language
Fact-checked

At LanguageHumanities, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

Who is Hades?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

While many people tend to think of Hades as a place of punishment, Greek mythology has a completely different application for the term. Traditionally, he is understood to be the Greek god who eventually won the right to be named the god of the underworld, and the chief caretaker of the abode of the dead.

According to the legends of the Greeks, ancient beings known as the Titans were originally in control of all known creation. Three brothers — Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades — challenged their sovereign rule, and determined that they were to be the rightful rulers of the underworld, the sky, and the sea. The brothers engaged in war with the Titans, eventually defeating them. At this juncture, the victors chose to assume specific areas that each brother would oversee. Hades chose the task of overseeing the underworld, and ruling over the spirits of those who had died and crossed over into the next life.

In Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the underworld, and the chief caretaker of the abode of the dead.
In Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the underworld, and the chief caretaker of the abode of the dead.

Hades has sometimes been portrayed as a fearsome figure, designed to strike terror into the hearts of men. Within this version, the god is one who is ready to punish the wicked for the lightest infraction, and delights in administering justice that is not tempered with mercy. Often, this concept was used to bring people who were involved in activities that were considered on the fringe of acceptable traditions and morals to abandon those practices, and engage in rites that were meant to win the favor of all the gods.

One of the most popular myths concerning Hades is his kidnapping of Persephone.
One of the most popular myths concerning Hades is his kidnapping of Persephone.

At other times, Hades has been portrayed as the merciful and just ruler of the underworld, seeing to the needs of both those dwelling in a state of happiness and paradise, as well as those who have been damned. This concept is sometimes attributed to reading between the lines in the tales of Greek mythology, especially in instances when the god appears to offer persons a chance to step back and reverse a wrong action taken.

In Greek mythology, the god Zeus had a brother named Hades who became ruler of the underworld.
In Greek mythology, the god Zeus had a brother named Hades who became ruler of the underworld.

Generally feared but often considered among the most powerful of all the gods, Hades was worshiped by many people, often with an eye to appeasing the god and ensuring a more pleasant place in the world to come. To this end, families often established an altar in the home in order to honor him, as well as gathering in temples to offer appropriate offerings to the god.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including LanguageHumanities, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including LanguageHumanities, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon924909

@bluedolphin: Because, when Cronos was thrown out, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades rolled dice to see which domain they got. It's not like they could choose. Otherwise, there would have been another war. That's how Zeus got the sky, Poseidon got the sea, and Hades was stuck with the underworld. In what I have read, the reason he is only mean, cold and dark is because he was jealous of his brothers.

bluedolphin

If Hades is good and merciful, why did they make him the villain in the Disney movie Hercules? That's not fair.

serenesurface

@anon297894-- There are a few statues of Hades in various museums in Greece. In these depictions, Hades looks like a regular man, much like any other Greek man would have been depicted at that time.

The statue of him that I saw in a museum in Crete depicted him with longer hair and a beard, holding a stick in his hand. He also had Cerberus next to him. Cerberus is the three-headed dog that guards the underworld. His duty is to watch the gates of the underworld for Hades to make sure that no one leaves.

ZipLine

I find Greek mythology kind of confusing because nothing seems to be written in stone, it all seems relative. Like, different people could have very different ideas about Hades and how he is and what he does.

There are interpretations in all religious and spiritual belief systems. But Greek mythology seems more uncertain to me. I don't understand why the Greeks didn't establish a single concept of Hades so that people believed the same thing.

anon297894

How does Hades look? What are his characteristics? Is he handsome? Ugly, etc.?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • In Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the underworld, and the chief caretaker of the abode of the dead.
      By: Anatoly Vartanov
      In Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the underworld, and the chief caretaker of the abode of the dead.
    • One of the most popular myths concerning Hades is his kidnapping of Persephone.
      By: Tony Baggett
      One of the most popular myths concerning Hades is his kidnapping of Persephone.
    • In Greek mythology, the god Zeus had a brother named Hades who became ruler of the underworld.
      By: zuchero
      In Greek mythology, the god Zeus had a brother named Hades who became ruler of the underworld.