Hades

Hades, in ancient Greek religion and mythology, is the god of the dead and the ruler of the underworld, a role that became synonymous with his name. Born as the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, Hades was the last son to be regurgitated by his father. Alongside his brothers Zeus and Poseidon, he successfully overcame the Titans, their father's generation of gods, and they collectively governed the cosmos. Hades was granted rulership over the underworld, while Zeus ruled the sky, and Poseidon the sea.

## Mythology

### Early Life

Hades, the god of the Greek underworld, was the first-born son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. His older sisters—Hestia, Demeter, and Hera—and younger brother Poseidon were all swallowed by Cronus at birth. Zeus, the youngest, escaped this fate through their mother Rhea's intervention. Upon reaching adulthood, Zeus compelled Cronus to release his siblings. The six younger gods, along with gathered allies, engaged in the Titanomachy, a divine war for power. Lasting ten years, the war culminated in the victory of the younger gods. After their triumph, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots for realms to rule. Hades received the underworld, the unseen realm for departed souls and everything beneath the earth, as mentioned in a notable passage in the Iliad (Book XV, ln.187–93).

Hades secured his wife and queen, Persephone, by abducting her at the request of Zeus, a crucial myth in which Hades plays a central role. This narrative also established a connection between the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Olympian pantheon, particularly evident in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, considered the oldest account of the abduction, likely dating back to the early 6th century BC. Helios consoled the grieving Demeter, highlighting that Hades, as her brother and a god of significant stature, was not an unworthy groom or son-in-law.

### King of the underworld

Contrary to modern associations of death with evil, Hades was depicted as more altruistic in mythology. He was characterized as passive and never portrayed negatively, with his role centered around maintaining a sense of balance. Although cold and stern, Hades held all of his subjects equally accountable to his laws. Specific individual aspects of his personality were not extensively explored, as the Greeks avoided delving too deeply into thoughts about Hades to avoid drawing his attention.

Hades governed the realm of the dead, exercising complete authority over his subjects, who were described as "guests" in the House of Hades. While rarely leaving the underworld, he remained indifferent to events in the world above, focusing primarily on ensuring none of his subjects escaped.

Strictly forbidding anyone from leaving his domain, Hades became furious if anyone attempted to do so or dared to steal souls from his realm. Notably, he directed his wrath towards those who defied death, such as Sisyphus and Pirithous. Hades' focus on punishment extended to Pirithous, who entered the underworld in an attempt to claim Persephone, finding himself on the "Chair of Forgetfulness."

In a unique instance outside the underworld, Hades was shot by Heracles while defending the city of Pylos, later healing on Olympus. Only heroes like Odysseus, Aeneas, Orpheus, Theseus with Pirithous, and Psyche ventured to the underworld during their journeys. Despite these visits, none were pleased with what they witnessed. Achilles, summoned by Odysseus, expressed his preference for a humble life over being a king among the deceased.

## Powers

Hr can manipulate shadows, inducing decay and weakness with his necrotic aura. The god has the power to bind souls to objects or locations, influencing events tied to them. Within the underworld, Hades can distort time and trap souls in psychic realms through psychic imprisonment. His dreamwalking ability allows him to enter and manipulate the dreams of the living.

Hades can summon undead minions and create cursed artifacts with detrimental effects. He projects his consciousness into the mortal realm and opens dimensional portals. The god also manipulates memories, alters weather within the underworld, and instills intense fear in living beings.

Using illusions, Hades confuses intruders and subjects souls to purgatorial trials for judgment. He controls elements such as fire and darkness, and his astral projection allows interaction with the mortal realm. Hades wields the power to unleash plagues upon the living and creates hidden dimensional pockets within the underworld.

Finally, he guides souls in their afterlife journey, influencing reincarnation paths with his psychopomp abilities.