1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Ancient / Classical History

Hades - the Greek God Hades

From N.S. Gill's Ancient/Classical History Glossary, for About.com

Fragment of Terracotta Relief Depicting Hades abducting Persephone

Fragment of terracotta relief depicting Hades abducting Persephone South Italian (from Locri); Greek, 470-460 B.C. New York; Metropolitan Museum.

Credits: Paula Chabot, 2000 © VRoma
Definition: The god Hades, son of Cronus and Rhea, received the Underworld for his realm, when his brother gods, Zeus and Poseidon, received dominion of the sky and sea.

The Cyclops gave Hades the helmet of invisibility to help in the gods' battle with the Titans. Thus, the name Hades means "The Invisible." The realm he rules over is also called Hades.

Hades is the enemy of all life, gods, and men. Since nothing will sway him, he is rarely worshiped.

Sometimes a milder form of Hades, Pluto, is worshiped as the god of wealth, since the wealth of the earth comes from what lies below.

The attributes of Hades include his watchdog Cerberus, the key to the Underworld, and sometimes a cornucopia or a two-pronged pick-axe. The cypress and narcissus are plants sacred to him. Sometimes black sheep were offered to him in sacrifice.

The most familiar myth about Hades is the story of the abduction of Persephone by Hades.

Source: Oskar Seyffert's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities

Explore Ancient / Classical History

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Ancient / Classical History
  4. Myth / Beliefs
  5. Gods and Goddesses
  6. A-Z Index
  7. H Gods and Goddesses
  8. Hades
  9. Hades - Basic Facts About the Greek God Hades>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.