Hades: The God Of The Underworld
Greek mythology is filled with intriguing gods and goddesses, each with their own domains and special powers. But one god stands out for where he chose to rule – the underworld. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The powerful Greek god who lived in the underworld rather than on Mount Olympus was Hades.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the myth and legend surrounding Hades. We’ll learn about his origins, his role as god of the underworld, his infamous abduction of Persephone, and how he differs from the Olympian gods.
The Origins of Hades
Born a Cronid
Hades was one of the children of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother to Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. As a son of the ruler of the Titans, he was part of a powerful dynasty of divine beings.
However, Cronus was afraid that his children would overthrow him, so he swallowed them at birth. Fortunately, Rhea hid baby Zeus from Cronus and tricked him into swallowing a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead.
When Zeus grew up, he led a rebellion against Cronus and freed his siblings from their father’s stomach. This marked the end of the rule of the Titans and the start of the reign of the Olympian gods.
Drawing Lots and Becoming Ruler of the Underworld
After defeating the Titans, Zeus and his brothers Poseidon and Hades drew lots to divide control of the cosmos. Zeus became ruler of the skies, Poseidon took dominion over the seas, and Hades was given control of the Underworld, the realm of the dead.
Though he was allotted the least glamorous realm, Hades played an important role as lord of the dead and master of the riches under the earth. His kingdom was separate from Mount Olympus, home of the other major gods, reflecting his position as an outsider from the rest.
According to some sources, Hades was dissatisfied with being assigned to the Underworld. However, he recognized the importance of his position, since all mortal souls eventually came under his dominion.
Over time, Hades embraced his duties and earned a reputation as a just ruler and guardian of the dead. Though feared and misunderstood, Hades brought order to the realm of shadows and ensured all departed souls received fair judgment.
Hades’ Role and Responsibilities
God of the Dead
As the God of the Dead, Hades ruled over the underworld and all those who entered it after death. He was responsible for overseeing the transition of souls from the realm of the living to the afterlife.
Though often portrayed as dark and sinister, Hades played an important role in maintaining order and balance between life and death.
When mortals died, their souls would descend to the underworld to be judged by Hades. He determined where they would spend eternity – in the Fields of Asphodel, Elysian Fields, or Tartarus. Hades ensured each soul received the proper afterlife based on how they lived.
In his kingdom, Hades was surrounded by ghosts, spirits, and shades of the dead. He rarely left the underworld, preferring to remain in his palace where he could focus on his duties. Though detached from the world above, Hades took his responsibilities seriously and was dedicated to his vital role.
Riches from the Earth
In ancient myths, Hades was also considered the god of wealth since precious metals like gold, silver, and gems came from underground. As resources buried in the earth, they fell under Hades’ domain.
The underworld contained limitless treasures since everything beneath the surface belonged to Hades. Mortals would offer sacrifices and libations to honor Hades and gain his blessings over the bounty below ground. His power extended to all subterranean riches.
Hades was among the wealthiest gods and lived a lavish lifestyle in his underground palace. As guardian of the earth’s treasures, he possessed unending wealth and shared its bounty through the metals, gems and minerals he controlled.
Judging Souls in the Afterlife
One of Hades’ most critical tasks was judging newly arrived souls in the underworld. He decided where each spirit would spend eternity after death – a significant responsibility.
All souls descended to the underworld and appeared before Hades’ throne. He would consult with judges like Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus before determining the soul’s placement. The most virtuous went to the paradise of Elysian Fields, average people went to the Asphodel Meadows, and the wicked were sent to endless torment in Tartarus.
Hades judged all souls equally and was rarely swayed. He had a practical approach in deciding fates since the underworld needed balance. His steady hand at judging souls helped maintain harmony in the afterlife.
The Abduction of Persephone
Persephone’s Lineage
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest. As a child of two powerful Olympian deities, Persephone had an illustrious lineage. However, she lived a sheltered life with her mother Demeter, tending to flowers and plants in meadows and forests.
Persephone grew into a beautiful young goddess, innocent to the ways of the world.
A Fateful Flower Picking
One fateful day, Persephone was out in a meadow gathering flowers with her companions. She wandered far from the group, following the most alluring blooms. Unbeknownst to Persephone, Hades, the god of the underworld, was watching her.
He had fallen in love with the lovely Persephone from afar and decided this was his chance to take her as his wife. Emerging from the earth in his chariot, Hades abducted the startled Persephone, dragging her down into the underworld.
Persephone cried out in distress, but it was too late – Hades had taken her back to his kingdom. Her mother Demeter, the harvest goddess, was distraught when her daughter disappeared and desperately searched for her across the land. However, nobody knew where Persephone had gone.
Demeter’s Anguish and Wrath
Demeter was anguished over the loss of her daughter Persephone. As the goddess of agriculture and harvest, her grief caused the earth to become barren and infertile. Plants withered and died, and famine spread across the land. Demeter refused to allow anything to grow until her daughter was returned.
In her wrath over Persephone’s abduction, Demeter devised a plan to torment the gods. She disguised herself as an old woman and approached the royal court, becoming a nursemaid to Prince Demophoon, son of the king and queen.
Through divine power, Demeter secretly immortalized the child by burning away his mortal characteristics in a fire each night. However, when the queen discovered this, she was horrified and screamed in fear, breaking the spell.
Demeter revealed herself in anger, scolding the royal couple before storming off.
With mankind facing starvation, Zeus finally intervened. He compelled Hades to return Persephone from the underworld. However, because Persephone had eaten several pomegranate seeds during her stay, she was bound to return to Hades for several months each year.
Her annual return to the underworld marked the coming of winter, when Demeter mourned and the earth became barren once more. Each spring, Persephone returned to her mother, marking the season of renewed harvest and vegetation.
Hades Versus the Olympians
Solitary Existence
As the god of the underworld, Hades lived a rather solitary existence in the realm of the dead. Unlike the Olympians who resided on Mount Olympus, Hades spent most of his time in the underworld, overseeing the souls of the deceased. This isolated him from the company of the other gods and goddesses.
While his brothers Zeus and Poseidon participated in the affairs of mortals and immortals alike, Hades seldom left his dreary kingdom. The ancient Greeks believed that because he was surrounded by death, Hades was gloomy and uncaring, with little interest in what transpired in the world above.
Dark and Feared
The Greeks had a deep fear of death and the underworld. As a result, they regarded Hades with horror and dread. His world was associated with darkness and misery. Temples and sanctuaries were rarely established in Hades’ name and he was seldom worshipped by mortals.
He was also believed to be strict and unmoved by prayer or sacrifice. The philosopher Plato described him as “the perfect and accomplished Sophist” and as an “Awful Majesty” before whom all mortals trembled.
Though his rule of the underworld was just, he was a terrifying and unfathomable deity to the ancient Greeks.
Interactions with Gods and Mortals
Despite his solitary realm, Hades did interact with both gods and mortals. He was known for strictly enforcing death and ensuring mortals did not escape their fate. Hades imprisoned the Titan Cronus, the father of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, in Tartarus after overthrowing him.
He also famously allowed Orpheus to retrieve his dead wife Eurydice from the underworld, provided he did not look back at her as they escaped. When Orpheus broke this condition, Hades took Eurydice back to the underworld permanently.
Hades was also renowned for his ownership of a helmet that rendered him invisible. His visits to Mount Olympus while wearing this helmet were secretive. He also used the helmet to sneak away with his wife Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, who he kidnapped to be his queen in the underworld.
Despite his separation from the other gods, Hades participated in their major domains like establishing laws, feasts, and several famous myths.
Conclusion
In the ancient Greek pantheon, the powerful underworld god Hades contrasted starkly with the gods of Mount Olympus. His somber kingdom under the earth was a far cry from the heavenly domains of Zeus and the other Olympians. Yet the god of the dead was no less important to the workings of the world.
Without Hades to rule the afterlife, mortal souls would have nowhere to go. His story provides fascinating insight into the ancient Greek view of life, death, and the afterlife.
