Hades

'Αιδης

Lord of the Underworld

Hades

Hades, the Olympian

Hades is one of the six children of the Titans, Kronos (Cronos) and Rheia (Rhea). He is the brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Histia (Hestia), Demeter and Hera.

When Hades was born, Kronos was so afraid that one of his children would usurp his authority that he swallowed him whole. Four other of Rheia's infants suffered the same fate. It wasn't until the last child, Zeus, was born that Rheia tricked Kronos and substituted a stone for the child. Zeus swallowed the stone and thought that his sovereignty would be eternal. Rheia hid Zeus until he was old enough to confront his father. When Zeus returned, he attacked Kronos with such ferocity that the other five children were vomited forth from Kronos' stomach. Hades was thus born a second time as a fully grown god.

Hades and the other freed gods and goddesses looked upon Zeus as their superior and even called him Father. The other Titans did not accept the authority of the new Immortals and a ten year war ensued. Finally, the Titans were defeated and relegated to the precincts of the immortal Tartaros (Tartarus) who occupies a dimension of the Underworld which is separate from the domain of Hades. The six children of Kronos and Rheia became the Olympians, taking their name from their new home on Mount Olympos (Olympus). Hades and his two brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, divided creation into thirds and each took a portion for their own. Hades chose the Underworld as his dominion.

When mortality takes it's toll on the humble creatures who inhabit the face of the earth, they kneel before cold hearted Hades and he metes out somber justice to suit each individual's deserved punishment or reward. Several, but few, mortals have earned the right to enter the realm of Hades and then return to the land of the living: Herakles (Heracles), Odysseus and Orpheus.

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Persephone, the Bride of Hades

Hades and Persephone

The story of the abduction of Persephone provides an undeniable explanation for the harshness of Winter and the sweetness of Spring.

Hades expressed his desire for the beautiful daughter of his sister, Demeter ... Zeus, as the father of Persephone did not object to the romance and did not interfere when Hades decided to abduct Persephone and hide her in the Underworld.

While at play with the beautiful daughters of Okeanos (Ocean), Persephone was picking flowers ... but these weren't earthly flowers ... these flowers were the work of Zeus and put there for "a girl with a flower's beauty." The flowers were there to ensnare Persephone in a trap, a beautiful, divine trap. The trigger for the trap was an irresistible flower with one hundred stems of fragrant blossoms. When Persephone reached out with both hands to pluck the flower, the earth opened at her feet and Hades roared forth in his golden chariot and seized her before an alarm could be raised.

No mortal on the earth heard Persephone's cries for help before she vanished into the Underworld. Of the Immortals, only two heard the faint cries of the abducted girl: the Roaring Goddess, Hekate (Hecate) and Helios (the Sun).

Demeter began searching in vain for her daughter. Her sorrow was so great that she denied herself all food, drink, and comfort for nine days. When Eos (Dawn) took to the skies on the tenth day, Hekate came to Demeter and told her that she had heard a voice but had not actually seen the abduction of poor Persephone. The two goddesses went to Helios because he sees all mortal and Immortal actions. Helios, indeed, knew the plot and the players. He told Demeter that the abduction was the work of Zeus and Hades. He further advised her to accept the situation because Hades was the Lord of Many and "not an unseemly bridegroom." Demeter did not like his advice and choose a long, brooding path to regain her precious daughter.

Finally in desperation, Demeter found a way to force Zeus to free Persephone. Demeter sat in her new home at Eleusis and cursed the earth with famine. Seeds would not grow. Plowed fields remained empty. Zeus and the other Immortals were worried that this would be the end of mortal life on earth and, one by one, the Immortals begged Demeter to accept the will of Zeus and allow Persephone to stay with Hades as his wife. Demeter was unwavering in her determination and refused to shed her grace and abundance on the earth.

Zeus sent Hermes to speak gentle words to Hades and persuade him to let Persephone return to her brooding mother. Hades was sympathetic but he was also intent on keeping his bride. He tricked Persephone into eating a pomegranate seed and by doing so she was forever bound to him. Persephone returned to the world of light to see her mother but her stay was only temporary.

Demeter was joyous when Persephone came to her and roused herself from her destructive brooding, but her joy was tempered by the deception of Hades and the honey-sweet pomegranate seed that Persephone had been tricked into eating. The only one who could change Demeter's heart was her mother, Rheia. Demeter finally lifted her curse and allowed the earth to blossom and be fruitful again.

It was decreed by Zeus that Persephone would spend two thirds of the year with her mother and the remaining third in the Underworld with her husband, Hades. Each year when Persephone returns from the Underworld, Demeter showers the earth with gentle rain and sweet breezes. Each time Persephone returns to Hades, Demeter hardens her heart and the earth is wracked with bitter cold and harsh winds.

Hades is often confused with the Roman god, Pluto.

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Hades in The Iliad

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Wyatt translations of The Iliad. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use.

01.004 - Homer asks the Muse to sing of the thousands of souls that Achilles sent to the house of Hades
03.277 - As Menelaos (Menelaus) prepares to fight Alexandros (Paris), Agamemnon calls upon Zeus, Helios (who sees and hears all), the earth, the rivers and 'he who dwells under the earth' to take vengeance on anyone who does not stay true to their oath
03.322 - All the soldiers prayed that any man who breaks an oath be sent to the house of Hades
05.394 - Dione explains to the wounded Aphrodite that many of the Immortals had suffered wounds like when Hades was wounded by Amphitryon
05.646 - The son of Herakles (Heracles), Tlepolemos (Tlepolemus), tells Sarpedon that even though he is the son of Zeus he will be beaten down and pass through the gates of Hades
05.654 - Sarpedon assures the son of Herakles (Heracles), Tlepolemos (Tlepolemus), that his soul will be given to Hades
06.284 - Hector tells his mother, Hekabe (Hecabe), that he wishes that his brother, Alexandros (Paris), had gone to the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
06.422 - Andromache tells her hunband, Hector, that Achilles sent her father and seven brothers to the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
06.487 - Hector tells his wife, Andromache, that no one will send him to Hades unless it is fated
07.131 - Nestor scolds the assembled Argives and tells them that Peleus would descend into the house of Hades if he knew how the army had cringed before the might of Hector
07.330 - Nestor laments the many souls that have gone to the house of Hades
08.367 - Athene (Athena) tells Hera about the time she helped Herakles (Heracles) when he had to go to Hades of the Gates to retrieve the hound, Kerberos (Cerberus), from the grisly Death God
09.158 - Agamemnon says that Achilles should give up his anger because, of all the Immortals, Hades never relents and, for that reason, is the most hated of the gods
09.312 - Achilles tells Odysseus that he detests the gates of Hades as much as he detests a man who speaks one thing and means another
09.457 - When Phoinix's (Phoenix) father learned that his son had seduced his mistress, he called down curses on his son and named the Furies, Zeus of the Underworld, i.e. Hades, and Persephone
09.569 - Phoinix (Phoenix) tells Achilles about the stubbornness of Meleagros (Meleager) and how Meleagros' mother had prayed to Hades and Persephone for the death of her own son
11.055 - When the Trojans approached the defensive ditch that protected the ships, Zeus was minded to send a multitude of souls to the house of Hades
11.263 - Agamemnon sent the sons of Antenor to the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
11.445 - Odysseus prepares to kill Sokos and tells him that he will be sent to Hades of the Horses
13.415 - Deiphobos (Deiphobus) kills Hypsenor and shouts that he has avenged the death of his friend, Asios, and now his friend has company as he goes to Hades of the Gates
14.457 - Poulydamas (Polydamas) mortally wounds Prothoenor and tells him that he may use the javelin in his shoulder as a walking stick as he enters the house of Hades
15.188 - Poseidon tells Iris that he, Zeus and Hades were born to Rheia (Rhea) and Kronos (Cronos)
15.191 - Poseidon tells Iris that lots were drawn for the division of creation and he won the sea, Zeus won the sky and Hades drew the lot for the mists and darkness
15.252 - Hector tells Apollon that, during the recent battle, he thought that he was sure go to the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
16.625 - During the fight for the body of Patroklos (Patroclus), Meriones warns Aineias (Aeneas) that he will soon be with Hades of the Horses
16.856 - As Patroklos (Patroclus) died, his soul went into the house of Hades
20.060 - When Poseidon shook the earth, Aidoneus, lord of the dead, i.e. Hades, jumped from his throne because he thought the houses of the dead would crack open and be exposed to mortal and Immortal alike
22.052 - Priam laments his many sons that Achilles has sent to the house of Hades
22.362 - As Hector died, his soul went into the house of Hades
22.389 - While gloating over the dead body of Hector, Achilles says that even though men forget the dead in the house of Hades, he will never forget his dead friend, Patroklos (Patroclus)
23.019 - Achilles hails his dead friend, Patroklos (Patroclus), even in the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
23.071 - The ghost of Patroklos (Patroclus) stands over the sleeping Achilles and urges him to bury him as quickly as possible so that he may pass the gates of Hades
23.074 - The ghost of Patroklos (Patroclus) stands over the sleeping Achilles and says that he wanders by the gates to Hades' house
23.103 - After hearing the voice of the dead Patroklos (Patroclus), Achilles realizes that even if a body is in the house of Hades there is something left of that person
23.137 - Achilles prepared the body of Patroklos (Patroclus) for his journey towards Hades
23.179 - Achilles hails Patroklos (Patroclus) even though he was in the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
23.244 - Achilles tells Agamemnon and the assembled Argives to gather the bones of Patroklos (Patroclus) and wrap them in animal fat so that they can be ready for Hades
24.246 - Priam addresses the people of Troy and says that he wishes that he was in the house of the Death God, i.e. Hades
24.593 - Achilles begs Patroklos (Patroclus), who is in the house of Hades, to forgive him for returning the body of Hector to the Trojans

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Hades in The Odyssey

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Dimock translations of The Odyssey. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use.

03.410 - At his home, Nestor sat on the same stones that his father had sat upon before he was taken to the house of Hades
04.834 - In a dream, Penelope asks Athene (Athena) if her husband, Odysseus, is in the house of Hades
06.011 - The founder of the Phaiakian (Phaeacian) city, Nausithoos (Nausithous), died and went to the house of Hades
09.524 - Odysseus tells the Cyclops, Polyphemos (Polyphemus), that he wants to send him to the house of Hades
10.175 - On Kirke's (Circe) island, Odysseus killed a large stag and encouraged his hungry men by telling them that they were not yet fated to go to the house of Hades
10.491 - Kirke (Circe) tells Odysseus that he must go to the house of Hades and Persephone to seek out the prophet, Teiresias
10.502 - Odysseus weeps and tells Kirke (Circe) that no ship has ever found the way to Hades
10.512 - Kirke (Circe) gives Odysseus instructions on how to find the moldering home of Hades
10.534 - Kirke (Circe) tells Odysseus that, when he reaches the abode of Hades and Persephone, he must not let the dead drink the sacrificial blood until he has questioned them
10.560 - Elpenor died when he fell from the roof of Kirke's (Circe) palace and his soul went down to Hades
10.564 - Odysseus tells his men that they must go to the house of Hades and Persephone
11.047 - After making an animal sacrifice at the entrance to the Underworld, Odysseus prays to Hades and Persephone
11.065 - Odysseus meets the ghost of Elpenor and he tells Odysseus how his soul went down to Hades
11.069 - The ghost of Elpenor says that, in order to avoid a curse by one of the Immortals after Odysseus leaves the house of Hades, he must return to Kirke's (Circe) island and give proper death-rights to the body of Elpenor
11.151 - After giving his prophecy to Odysseus, the ghost of Teiresias returned to the house of Hades
11.164 - Odysseus explains to the ghost of his mother, Antikleia (Anticleia), that a duty brought him to the house of Hades
11.211 - Odysseus laments that he cannot hold his mother, Antikleia (Anticleia), while she is in the house of Hades
11.277 - While in the Underworld, Odysseus learns that the mother/wife of Oedipus, Iokaste (Jocasta), went down to Hades of the Gates because she had hanged herself
11.426 - In the Underworld, the ghost of Agamemnon tells Odysseus that he came to Hades with his eyes and mouth still open because his murderous wife, Klytemnestra (Clytemnestra) did not care enough for him to give him that simple dignity
11.475 - In the Underworld, the ghost of Achilles asks Odysseus how he could bear to come to the house of Hades
11.571 - In the Underworld, Odysseus saw the ghost of Minos passing out judgments to those who were seated and standing at the house of Hades
11.625 - In the Underworld, Odysseus saw the ghost of Herakles (Heracles) and the hero told Odysseus how he had once taken Kerberos (Cerberus) from the place of Hades into the light of day
11.627 - After speaking to Odysseus, the ghost of Herakles (Heracles) returned to the realm of Hades
11.635 - Odysseus feels genuine fear before he finally leaves the Underworld; he fears that Persephone will send the head of the Gorgon from the house of Hades to attack him
12.017 - After returning to Kirke's (Circe) island, the goddess did not know that Odysseus had come from the house of Hades
12.021 - Kirke (Circe) addresses Odysseus and his crew and tells them that most humans only have to go to the house of Hades once but that they will have to return there when they die
12.383 - Helios threatens Zeus that he will go to Hades and shine his light on the dead if Odysseus and his crew are not punished for killing his cattle
14.156 - The disguised Odysseus tells the swineherd, Eumaios (Eumaeus), that he detests the gates of Hades as much as he detests a poor man who lies to gain favor
14.208 - The disguised Odysseus lies to the swineherd, Eumaios (Eumaeus), and says that his father is in the house of Hades
15.350 - The disguised Odysseus asks the swineherd, Eumaios (Eumaeus), if Odysseus' parents are alive or in the house of Hades
20.208 - The cowherd, Philoitios (Philoetius), meets the disguised Odysseus and says that he hopes his master (Odysseus) is not in the house of Hades
23.252 - Odysseus tells his wife, Penelope, about his encounter with the prophet, Teiresias, at the house of Hades
23.322 - Odysseus tells his wife, Penelope, about his encounter with the prophet, Teiresias, at the house of Hades
24.204 - Odysseus tells Penelope about the ghosts of the dead he saw at the gates of Hades
24.264 - Odysseus speaks to his father and makes a reference to the house of Hades

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Other Text References

Works and Days

line 153 - The Bronze Age men ate no bread and their hearts were hard and fearful; they finally extinguished themselves and passed into the chill House of Hades

Theogony

line 311 - Kerberos (Cerberus) who eats raw meat, is the brazen-voiced hound of Hades
line 455 - Hades is the son of Rheia (Rhea) and Kronos (Cronos)
line 768 - Near the dwellings of Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death) are the echoing halls of Hades and Persephone
line 774 - Kerberos (Cerberus) devours anyone he catches going out the gates of strong Hades and awful Persephone
line 850 - When Zeus fought with Typhoeus, the whole earth seethed; Hades trembled where he rules over the dead below
line 913 - White-armed Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter but, by the will of Zeus, the young goddess was carried off by Aidoneus

Catalogues of Women and Eoiae

fragment 68 II - line 25 - When Zeus decided to rid the earth of the demigods, no one, god nor man, realized how many of the heroes would be sent to Hades

The Shield of Herakles

line 151 - Depicted in the animated scenes on the Shield of Herakles, the souls of warriors passed beneath the earth and went to the House of Hades
line 227 - Depicted in the animated scenes on the Shield of Herakles is the image of the dread Cap of Hades upon the head of Perseus, the cap had the awful gloom on night
line 254 - Depicted in the animated scenes on the Shield of Herakles was an image of the Fates as they would clasp wounded soldiers in their great claws and the soldier's soul would go down to Hades to chilly Tartaros (Tartarus)

The Great Eoiae

fragment 11 - Endymion was transported to the heavens by Zeus but when he fell in love with Hera, Zeus befooled Endymion with a cloud in the likeness of Hera and Endymion went down to Hades

Homeric Hymn to Demeter

line 2 - The poem begins by dedicating the song to rich-haired Demeter and her daughter (Persephone) whom Aidoneus rapt away
line 31 - Zeus did not hear the cries of Persephone as the Ruler of Many and the Host of Many carried the young goddess away
line 79 - Hades seized Persephone and took her in his chariot to his realm of mist and gloom
line 84 - Zeus tells Demeter that Aidoneus, the Ruler of Many, is not an unfit husband for her daughter, Persephone
line 336 - Zeus sent Hermes to try and persuade Hades to release Persephone from the misty gloom so she could be with her mother, Demeter
line 343 - Hermes found lord Hades in his house, seated upon a couch with the shy goddess, Persephone
line 347 - Hermes addresses Hades as Dark-haired ruler over the departed; Hermes had been sent by Zeus to try and persuade Hades to allow Persephone to return to her mother, Demeter
line 357 - Aidoneus, ruler over the dead, smiled grimly and obeyed the commandment of Zeus to allow Persephone to return to her mother, Demeter
line 376 - Aidoneus, the Ruler over Many, readied his deathless horses and chariot in order to return Persephone to her mother, Demeter
line 395 - Demeter asks Persephone if she had tasted any food while she was with loathly Hades; if she had not, she could remain with her mother and father
line 404 - Demeter asks Persephone how the Host of Many tricked her into eating food while in his realm
line 430 - Persephone tells her mother Demeter how the Host of Many sprang forth from the ground in his golden chariot and carried her beneath the earth

Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite V

line 154 - Anchises suspects that Aphrodite is a goddess but she has lied to him and he is not sure; he tells her that she is so beautiful that he will not mind going down to the House of Hades after he has slept with her

The Thebaid

fragment 3 - After being given an insulting portion of meat, Oedipus prays to Zeus that his sons will be killed by each other and go to the House of Hades

The Returns

fragment 6 - The author of this fragment says that there was an account of the terrors associated with Hades; the example given is of the punishment of Tantalos (Tantalus); Tantalos was invited to live with the gods and permitted to ask for anything he desired; Tantalos became so indulgent that Zeus commanded that he be punished by being able to see all the things he desired but not be allowed to have them; a stone suspended over his head prevented him from reaching the pleasant things nearby

The Battle of Frogs and Mice

line 236 - After a mouse named Crumb-Snatcher killed a frog named Leeky, the frog's soul went down to Hades

The Contest of Homer and Hesiod

section 315 (last line) - When Hesiod asks Homer what is best for mortal man, Homer says that it is best to never be born or, being born, to pass through the gates of Hades with all speed

The Argonautika

book 2, line 353 - The seer Phineus tells the Argonauts that in the land of the Mariandyni there is a downward path to the abode of Hades
book 2, line 609 - After surviving the Clashing Rocks, the Argonauts were relieved that they were saved from Hades
book 2, line 642 - Jason praises the Argonauts for their bravery and says that he would not be afraid to sail through the gulfs of Hades with such a steadfast crew
book 2, line 735 - From their camp on the Bithynian Sea, the Argonauts saw a cave of Hades overarched by wood and rocks; from the cave, an unceasing icy breath issues
book 3, line 704 - The daughters of King Aietes (Aeetes) are talking and Chalkiope (Chalciope) begs Medeia (Medea) to help save her sons from the wrath of their father; Chalkiope says that if Medeia will not help her, she too will die and come back from Hades as an avenging Fury to haunt her
book 3, line 810 - When Medeia (Medea) was pondering as to whether she should help Jason endure the trials which King Aietes (Aeetes) had commanded, she thought of suicide but suddenly a deadly fear of hateful Hades came upon her heart
book 4, line 1666 - The sorceress Medeia (Medea) called down the Death-Spirits, the swift hounds of Hades, to help her defeat the giant bronze man Talos on the island of Crete