![]() In Homeric and Ionic Greek, he was known as Áïdēs. West argues instead for an original meaning of “the one who presides over meeting up” from the universality of death. ![]() ![]() The earliest attested form is Aḯdēs (Ἀΐδης), which lacks the proposed digamma. Modern linguists have proposed the Proto-Greek form *Awides (“unseen”). An extensive section of Plato’s dialogue Cratylus is devoted to the etymology of the god’s name, in which Socrates is arguing for a folk etymology not from “unseen” but from “his knowledge (eidenai) of all noble things”. The origin of Hades’ name is uncertain, but has generally been seen as meaning “The Unseen One” since antiquity. He owns a helmet of invisibility and a chariot. The Romans also knew him as Orcus.Īttributes: Hades is depicted as a dark-bearded man with a crown, scepter, and key.Ĭerberus, a three-headed dog, is often in his company. Other Names: Haides, Aides, Aidoneus, Zeus Katachthonios (Zeus under the earth). Hestia, Hera, and Demeter are Hades’ sisters.Ĭhildren of Hades: These include the Erinyes (the Furies), Zagreus (Dionysus), and Makaria (goddess of a blessed death) Thus, to the ancient Greeks, was the cycle of seasons and the yearly birth and death of crops.įamily of Hades: Hades was a son of the Titans Cronos and Rhea. The deal made with Hades allowed Persephone to spend one-third (later myths say one-half) of the year with her mother, and the rest in the company of her shades. Having eaten the food of the dead, she was compelled to return to the Underworld. But before she rejoined the world of light, Persephone partook of a few pomegranate seeds. When Demeter found out that the kidnapping was Zeus’ idea, she complained loudly to her brother, who urged Hades to free the maiden. As her mother mourned, the world of humans withered: Fields grew barren, trees toppled and shriveled. He abducted her in his chariot, driving her far below the earth and keeping her in secret. The daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, Persephone caught the eye of the Wealthy One on one of his infrequent trips to the surface world. But Hesiod relates the most famous story of the Greek god, which is about how he stole his queen Persephone. ![]() The fearsome god of the dead figures in few tales (it was best not to talk about him too much). (This would include souls left with money to pay the boatman Charon for the crossing to Hades.) As such, Hades complained about Apollo’s son, the healer Asclepius, because he restored people to life, thereby reducing Hades’ dominions, and he inflicted the city of Thebes with plague probably because they weren’t burying the slain correctly. Eager for souls to cross the river Styx and join fief, Hades is also the god of proper burial. Hades drew the dark, melancholy Underworld, and ruled there surrounded by the shades of the dead, various monsters, and the glittering wealth of the earth.įor the Greek god Hades, the inevitability of death ensures a vast kingdom. Emerging victorious after the ensuing battle, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades drew lots to divide up the world they had gained. Like his brother Poseidon, he grew up in the bowels of Cronos, until the day when Zeus tricked the titan into vomiting up his siblings. Hades was the son of the titan Cronos and brother to the Olympian gods Zeus and Poseidon.Ĭronos, fearful of a son who would overthrow him as he vanquished his own father Ouranos, swallowed each of his children as they were born. The ancient Greeks thought it best not to invite his attention. While he is not the god of death (that’s the implacable Thanatos), Hades welcomed any new subjects to his kingdom, the Underworld, which also takes his name. But few considered the god Hades lightly enough to call him by his name. The Greeks called him the Unseen One, the Wealthy One, Pluoton, and Dis.
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