Greek God Hades: God of the underworld

Hades and his three-head dog
Cerberus or Kerberos.

Hades (ᾍδης or Άͅδης) was the ancient Greek god of the underworld and ruler of the dead. Hades is the oldest son of Cronus and Rhea. He has three sisters, the goddess of harvest Demeter, the queen of the gods and god of mariage Hera, and the goddess of home and hearth Hestia. Moreover,  he also has two brothers, Zeus the ruler of the gods, and Poseidon the ruler of the seas, collectively comprising the original six Olympian gods. He and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon defeated their father Cronus, during the 10 year Titan war. After the victory, Hades received the underworld, Zeus the air, and Poseidon the sea. Hades was often portrayed with his three-headed guard dog Cerberus.

Hades abducted his wife and queen, Persephone, daughter of Demeter. She was abducted by Hades while picking flowers in the fields of Nysa. Her mother, Goddess Demeter, cast a curse on the land, though the gods came to request she lift it. She was really angry and stated that she would desolate the planet earth until she sees her daughter again. Although, the Greek gods initially ignored her, the results were devastating in earth. Thus,  Zeus intervened and he requested that Hades return Persephone. Although Hades complied, he eventually he didn't allowed her to go back. Zeus proposed that Persephone would spend one third with her husband Hades in the underworld, and the rest of her time in earth. Thus, this created the seasons and every time that Persephone was going to the underworld, the winter was coming in earth.


Other mythical heroes that involvement with Hades include Theseus, Pirithous, Hercules. Theseus and Pirithous, King of the city Lapiths in Thessaly, planned to kidnap and marry daughters of Zeus. Theseus chose Helen and Pirithous choose Persephone. Together they kidnapped Helen and decided to hold onto her until she was old enough to marry. To steal Persephone was harder, because they had to travel to the underworld. Hades knew that Pirithous was desiring his wife Queen of the Underworld, Persephone and he planned a punishment for both of them. When Theseus and Pirithous eventually went to the underworld, they met with Hades. He offer them hospitality and food. However, as soon as they sat in their cursed chairs, snakes grab them their feet and held them there. The Greek Hero Hercules was able to save Theseus. However, Pirithous punishment was worse because he desired the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone. Thus, Pirithous  left forever trapped at the chair.