Epilogue – KkeomuWiki Hades (2)
4.1. Relationship with Zeus
“My brother, you are already a true king, so the throne of the gods holds no allure for you.”
— Zeus (Iliad, p. 34)
Hades was Zeus’s most reliable brother and trusted ally.
After their victory in the Titanomachy, Poseidon continuously tried to check Zeus’s power or attempted rebellion. However, Hades never did.
When Hera, Apollo, and Poseidon ambushed Zeus in his sleep and hid his thunderbolt, it was Hades who climbed up to Olympus after hearing the news from the goddess Thetis and confronted Poseidon.
Following this incident, Zeus came to trust his brother Hades implicitly.
This trust is evident even in matters of power, such as granting Hades’s request to release Prometheus.
(Of course, it could also be because the Underworld was considered entirely separate from the mortal world, diminishing any perceived threat from Hades, who was already king of the Underworld.)
As described in the Iliad, Zeus’s way of addressing Hades changed significantly after the Great Flood.
While Zeus previously referred to him by name, he began to use honorifics imbued with respect and recognition, reflecting his deep trust in Hades.
5. Appearance
Hades was often depicted as a strikingly handsome man with black hair, black eyes, and entirely black attire, with a cold demeanor.
The association with death and the underworld likely led to this imagery, as darkness and blackness symbolized death.
Initially, records imagined him as a dignified middle-aged figure, similar to his brothers Zeus and Poseidon. Over time, however, he was reimagined as a handsome young man.
This shift may have been influenced by the persistent advances of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, whom Hades firmly rejected. Additionally, unlike his notorious brothers, Hades was recognized for having only three legitimate wives acknowledged by Hera, enhancing the perception of him as an “alpha male” and the true victor in these dynamics.
Despite his intimidating status, mortals like Orpheus, who encountered Hades, were often too consumed by primal fear of death to appreciate his appearance.
6. A Benevolent God Who Cares for Mortals
In Greek mythology, gods often displayed cruelty toward mortals.
The disparity between immortal gods and mortal humans was so vast that gods frequently killed or cursed humans over trivial offenses.
The Olympian gods often annihilated humanity with floods or killed mortals who exposed their flaws. Even Athena, the goddess of wisdom, committed questionable acts, as seen in the stories of Arachne and Medusa.
Amid such chaos, Hades stands out as one of the rare gods who consistently showed compassion for mortals.
Despite being the fearsome god of the underworld, he was revered as a deity of mercy and justice.
Although the Underworld was seen as separate from the mortal realm, Hades often appeared among mortals, embodying his role as a god of fairness and compassion.
While some gods disapproved of Hades’s kindness toward mortals, none dared challenge him.
Aside from the Protogenoi, no one other than his brothers Zeus and Poseidon had the power or status to oppose him.
Even Zeus, the king of the gods, trusted Hades, so who could defy him?
In a mythological landscape riddled with rampant crime and violence, Hades stands as one of the few gods with an unblemished record, earning him a reputation as a god of fairness.
Not only was Hades revered for his sense of justice, but his mercy further elevated him.
For instance, when Oedipus went mad under Gaia’s curse and slaughtered his people, Hades agonized for hours with King Minos over the appropriate judgment.
Even after passing judgment, Hades reportedly wrestled with doubts over whether his decision was just, prompting the goddess Lethe to comfort him.
As an elder figure who scolded Zeus and Poseidon for their mistakes, Hades was seen as a moral compass among the gods.
With unmatched wisdom and strength, he earned the title of the “police of the gods.”
(The reason Dionysus retreated when Justice Goddess Dike invoked Hades’s name while trying to take Princess Ariadne away from Theseus is a testament to Hades’s authority.)
6.1. Perspective of Ancient Greeks
The ancient Greeks believed that no matter how harshly other gods treated mortals, Hades would judge them fairly after death in the Underworld.
This belief is reflected in myths where Hades punishes gods who tormented mortals, drags them to the Underworld for work, or reprimands even Zeus and Athena for their mistakes.
Thus, Hades, like the Eastern concept of Yama (the King of Hell), played a pivotal role as an impartial arbiter.
Hades also played a significant role in the stories of legendary heroes such as Cadmus, Perseus, Bellerophon, and Heracles.
Many saw him as a god who nurtured heroes, as overcoming death was seen as a defining trait of heroism.
In Thebes, where his worship began, there is a remarkable record of Hades’s priests standing firm during King Oedipus’s massacre.
Despite Oedipus, in his madness, slaying dozens of soldiers and approaching the temple of Hades, the priests continued to pray without fleeing.
Hades himself reportedly descended to the mortal realm to subdue Oedipus, further demonstrating his devotion to justice.
Perhaps due to such stories, ancient Greeks both feared and revered Hades.
While they trembled at the mention of his name, they worshipped him under the name Pluto, placing him on par with Zeus.
Regions that revered Hades as their chief deity included Thebes, Ethiopia, Argos, and Troy, the central setting of The Iliad.
7. Portrayals in Popular Media
In general, Hades in popular culture is depicted as a stern and strict god of the underworld, but also as a just and merciful deity. Over time, the image of Hades as the embodiment of the underworld and a god disliked by many has evolved into a more favorable portrayal. In modern times, he is often presented with relatable and even endearing titles like “The Conscience of Olympus,” “The Policeman of the Gods,” or “A Tired Bureaucrat.”
However, his status as one of the “Big Three” Olympian gods remains intact, and he plays significant roles in various works of fiction.
In games, Hades is often depicted summoning Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld, or resurrecting the dead as a final boss. Some novels explore narratives where Hades’ agent rises in rebellion against the gods of Olympus, portraying him in a more active and combative role. His frequent appearances rival even those of Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods.
In Rebellion of the Dead Part 6, Hades appears as the final boss with an exceptionally high level of difficulty:
Phase 1: As the god of mercy, he speaks to the player in a calm tone, using minimal counterattacks.
Phase 2: As the god of fairness, he applies debuffs proportional to the number of monsters the player has killed.
Phase 3: Taking his true form as the King of the Underworld, shrouded in darkness, Hades wields overwhelming divine power with devastating patterns.
Final Phase: Donning his Helm of Invisibility, he relentlessly pressures the player.
In the webtoon God of Olympus, Hades appears as an ally to the protagonist, Zeus. He anticipates Poseidon’s rebellion and preemptively sets up an ambush on Olympus, demonstrating a cooperative nature. However, he also scolds the chaotic protagonist and challenges his decisions, echoing his traditional characterization.
8. Miscellaneous
Although Hades is a staunch rule follower who does not tolerate violations within his domain, his merciful side allows for exceptions. Notable examples include allowing Orpheus to retrieve his wife from the underworld and granting Heracles permission to bathe in the Styx. These examples highlight the inherently human qualities of Greek gods, even one as emblematic of the underworld as Hades.
For some reason, Hades is often portrayed as being unusually close to Euros, the god of the east wind, even though they share little mythological connection. (It’s unclear whether Euros helped with Hades’ romantic endeavors or why they are depicted as so friendly.)
Due to his numerous stories of dragging delinquent gods to the underworld and sentencing them to labor, Hades’ domain is frequently interpreted as “the most undesirable workplace in the divine realm” or “the gods’ exile and penal colony.” Reflecting this, some creative works depict Hades as an overworked bureaucrat with a perpetually tired expression.
Although friendly toward heroes, Hades does not hesitate to punish them when they harm innocent mortals. In one comedic scene from the Trojan War, Hades scolds Pollux (Polydeuces) and Nestor for nearly destroying Troy and sends them back. When the heroes realize that the person blocking them is Hades in human guise, they dramatically leap off the city walls in terror.
Hades’ handsome appearance is hinted at in myths. One of the Furies, Alecto, wept instead of attending his wedding, and even Aphrodite, armed with her enchanted girdle (Cestus Himantes), failed to seduce him. Considering his strength, wealth, status, and character, Hades seems to be a paragon among male deities.
Interestingly, Hades sometimes used his Helm of Invisibility as a “weapons test.” There are accounts of him testing the durability of his bident or Styx sword by striking them against his helm.
Hades was widely known as a god who listened to grievances and issued fair judgments. Not only the souls of the dead but also fellow gods frequently sought his help and rulings, reinforcing his reputation as an impartial and just deity.