In Greek mythology, the god of the underworld was named "Hades" because and after he was given the unseen kingdom of that name. The three brothers Zeus, Poseidon and Hades drew lots for realms to rule. Zeus got the sky, Poseidon got the seas, and Hades received the underworld, the unseen realm to which the dead go upon leaving the world. His kingdom was entered by crossing the river Styx, ferried across by Charon (kair'-on). The far side of the river was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog defeated by Heracles (or Hercules as the Romans referred to him). Hades obtained his eventual wife, Persephone, through trickery - a story that was a late addition to Greek mythology, connected with the rise of the Mysteries. |
In Greek mythology, the god of the underworld was named "Hades" because and after he was given the unseen kingdom of that name. The three brothers (sons of the Titan Chronus?) Zeus, Poseidon and Hades drew lots for realms to rule. Zeus got the sky, Poseidon got the seas, and Hades received the underworld, the unseen realm to which the dead go upon leaving the world. His kingdom was entered by crossing the river Styx, ferried across by Charon (kair'-on). The far side of the river was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog defeated by Heracles (or Hercules as the Romans referred to him). Hades obtained his eventual wife, Persephone, through trickery - a story that was a late addition to Greek mythology, connected with the rise of the Mysteries. |