

Hades The Impartial, Judicious, And Fair Bust of Pluto (Hades), unknown artist, original from the 5th century BC, National Roman Museum, Palazzo Altempsĭespite Hades’ silence on his complaints in the Greek myths, films like Disney’s Hercules characterize Hades as vengeful and plotting the overthrow of Olympus. There’s an unfortunate pattern of exclusion here for the God of the Underworld.Ĥ. Ironically, the Greek god Hades in Roman mythology is called Pluto, and in astronomy, Pluto was discounted as a planet. So even in title, he is set apart from his peers. Instead of the Olympian title, Hades has the title ‘Chthonic’, which roughly translates as ‘things relating to the underground’. He does not have a home or sacred place on Olympus but instead is confined to his domain in the Underworld. Despite some sources stating that the god Hades was unhappy with this decision, he never complained or sought a different role.ĭespite Hades being born in the same generation as the other Olympian gods, he is excluded from the group, and so does not have the title ‘Olympian’. When the rewards for the victors were divided, Zeus was given reign over the sky, Poseidon over the sea, Hades the Underworld.

To begin with, Hades helped his younger brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, to overthrow the monstrous Titan Kronos in the epic battle for control of the cosmos. The name’s meaning is fitting for Hades because his efforts often went unnoticed. This is just the start of Hades’ pitiful story. The Greek god Hades’ name, in Ancient Greek “᾽Αιδης”, derives from the Ancient Greek word for “ unseen ”. Greek God Hades: The Unseen Painting of the Gods in Palazzo Te, Giulio Romano, 1525, via Palazzo del Te in Mantua.
