Who Is Hades?:
Although Hades (the Unseen One) is an Olympian god, he is the Lord of the Underworld and ruler of the dead. Hades is not the god of death, however -- that's Thanatos. Hades rules those given proper funeral rites and brought over to the other side by Charon.
Hades complained about Apollo's son, the healer Asclepius, because he restored people to life, thereby reducing Hades' dominions.
Hades inflicted Thebes with plague probably because they weren't burying the slain and therefore were denying bodies for Hades to have dominion over.
The name Hades is generally applied to the realm of the Underworld: Hades = Hades' realm. The god is feared and hated. An oath taken on his name is especially binding.
There are few stories about Hades since he spends most of his time among the non-living. The people of Elis had a temple for him, but this was unusual.
Occupation:
Family of Hades:
Hades was a son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. His brothers are Zeus and Poseidon. Hestia, Hera, and Demeter are Hades' sisters.
Children of Hades
- The Erinyes (Furies),
- Zagreus (Dionysus), and
- Makaria (goddess of a blessed death)
Other Names:
Sometimes people say Pluto is the Roman equivalent of Hades, but Pluto was a god of wealth, not of the Underworld. Sometimes, however, the Greeks themselves called Hades Plouton (Pluto is the Latin for the Greek word Plouton), so it seems prissy to demand greater precision. Besides, someone as feared as Hades, like his children, the Erinyes, is often addressed by euphemism. (More on the names Hades, Pluto, and Dis.) Hades is also called Haides, Aides, Aidoneus, Zeus Katachthonios (Zeus under the earth), and Orcus (Roman).
Persephone:
Hades is best known for abducting Demeter's daughter Persephone, keeping her with him in the Underworld where no one knew where she was, and then, when found out, tricking her into eating some pomegranate seeds. By eating in the land of Hades, Persephone was bound to it. A deal was made to let Persephone join her mother half the year, but she always returns.
Attributes:
Hades is shown as a dark-bearded man, with a crown, scepter, and key. He has a three-headed dog (Cerberus). Hades has a helmet of invisibility and a chariot.
Sources:
Ancient sources for Hades include: Apollodorus, Cicero, Hesiod, Homer, Hyginus, Ovid, Pausanias, Statius, and Strabo.
Myths With Hades:
Myths about Hades (Pluto) re-told by Thomas Bulfinch include:
