πŸ’€

HADES

God of the Underworld β€’ Lord of the Dead β€’ King of Riches

The formidable and misunderstood Hades rules over the Underworld, holding dominion over all souls and the vast mineral wealth hidden within the earth. As one of the "Big Three" sons of Cronus, his power is rivaled only by his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon. His children at Camp Half-Blood, like Nico di Angelo and Hazel Levesque, are rare and powerful, wielding control over shadows, the earth, and the dead.

13 Cabin Number
3 Big Three Rank
πŸ’Ž God of Riches
Hades, God of the Underworld - A powerful god on a dark throne

The Shadowed King of the Underworld

Hades reigns as the sovereign of the Underworld, a vast, shadowy kingdom where the souls of the dead reside. Often depicted as grim and stern, he is a god of immense power and wealth, yet frequently misunderstood. Unlike the malevolent figures of other mythologies, Hades is not evil; rather, he is a just and unyielding ruler, ensuring the cosmic balance between life and death is maintained.

Born to the Titans Cronus and Rhea, Hades was swallowed by his father and later freed by his youngest brother, Zeus. After the Titanomachy, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus claimed the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades received the Underworld. Though he resented his domain at first, he ruled it with an iron fist, commanding legions of shades and monsters.

His most famous artifact is the Helm of Darkness, forged by the Cyclopes, which grants him complete invisibility. As the god of the earth's hidden wealth, he is also known by his Roman name, Pluto, "The Rich One," controlling all precious metals and gems. His authority is absolute in his realm, and few have ever dared to defy him.

Powers and Attributes

Hades wields terrifying and awe-inspiring powers befitting one of the Big Three:

  • Necromancy: Absolute command over the souls of the dead, able to summon and control them.
  • Umbrakinesis: Mastery over shadows and darkness, allowing for shadow travel and manipulation.
  • Geokinesis/Ferrokinesis: Power to control the earth, cause earthquakes, and shape precious metals and gems.
  • Immense Wealth: Dominion over all riches within the earth.
  • Fear Induction: His presence can radiate an aura of intense fear and death.

Hades in Percy Jackson

In Rick Riordan's series, Hades is a complex characterβ€”initially antagonistic, bitter about Zeus's betrayal and the loss of his children. He is stern and unforgiving, but also possesses a strict code of honor and a hidden capacity for love, as seen with his children Nico and Bianca di Angelo, and his Roman daughter, Hazel Levesque. Cabin 13 at Camp Half-Blood is his, a formidable windowless structure of solid obsidian, feared and respected by all other campers.

Hades at Camp Half-Blood

Hades Cabin 13 at Camp Half-Blood - A formidable structure of black obsidian
13 Cabin Number

πŸ’€ Cabin 13 - The House of Hades πŸ’€

Intimidating and powerful, Cabin 13 is a windowless structure crafted from solid black obsidian. A skull hangs over the doorway, and torches burning with ghostly green fire provide the only light. It was built long after the original twelve cabins, and for many years, it remained empty due to the pact of the Big Three.

Children of Hades are exceedingly rare and powerful demigods. They are often solemn and solitary but possess immense courage and loyalty. Their powers over darkness, death, and the earth make them formidable allies and terrifying foes.

πŸ’€ Necromancy
⚫ Umbrakinesis
πŸ’Ž Geokinesis
πŸ‘» Summoning

Famous Myths and Stories

πŸ‘‘King of the Underworld

After defeating the Titans, Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon drew lots for their domains. Hades received the Underworld, the vast realm of the dead. He ruled it justly, maintaining cosmic order and ensuring souls reached their final destinations.

🌸The Abduction of Persephone

Hades fell in love with Persephone, daughter of Demeter, and brought her to the Underworld to be his queen. This act caused Demeter to grieve and neglect the earth, creating winter. A compromise was reached where Persephone would spend part of the year with Hades and part with her mother, explaining the seasons.

🎡Orpheus and Eurydice

When the musician Orpheus's wife Eurydice died, he traveled to the Underworld and charmed Hades with his music. Hades agreed to let Eurydice return, on the condition that Orpheus not look back until they reached the surface. Tragically, Orpheus looked back at the last moment, losing her forever.

πŸ›‘οΈThe Helm of Darkness

During the Titanomachy, the Cyclopes forged three powerful weapons. Zeus received the lightning bolt, Poseidon the trident, and Hades the Helm of Darkness (or Cap of Invisibility), which allowed him to move unseen and became his most famous symbol of power.

⛓️The Punishment of Sisyphus

As the enforcer of cosmic law, Hades was responsible for punishing the wicked. He famously condemned King Sisyphus, who cheated death twice, to an eternity of rolling a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top.

🐾Heracles and Cerberus

For his final labor, the hero Heracles was tasked with capturing Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld. Hades permitted this, but only if Heracles could subdue the beast without using weapons, a testament to the hero's incredible strength.

Timeline of Hades's Journey

πŸ‘ΆBirth and Imprisonment

Born to Cronus and Rhea, Hades was swallowed by his father to prevent a prophecy. He remained imprisoned until freed by his younger brother, Zeus.

βš”οΈThe Titanomachy

Hades fought alongside his siblings against the Titans. He received the Helm of Darkness from the Cyclopes, a crucial tool in their victory.

πŸ‘‘Drawing of Lots

After the war, the three brothers divided the world. Hades drew the Underworld, becoming its lord and ruler for all eternity.

🌸Marriage to Persephone

He takes Persephone as his queen, a pivotal myth that explains the cycle of the seasons and establishes the royal court of the Underworld.

πŸ›οΈPact of the Big Three

In modern times, after the devastating World War II caused by their children, Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon swear an oath not to father any more demigod heroes.

🌍Modern Age Ruler

Hades continues his rule, often clashing with his brothers and the other Olympians, while occasionally aiding demigods like his son, Nico di Angelo.

The Divine Family of Hades

Cronus, the Titan Lord

Cronus

Father

The Titan of Time who swallowed Hades and his siblings out of fear

Rhea, the Titaness Mother

Rhea

Mother

The gentle Titaness who gave birth to the first generation of Olympians

Persephone, Queen of the Underworld

Persephone

Wife

Goddess of Springtime and the formidable Queen of the Underworld

Zeus, King of the Gods

Zeus

Brother

King of the Gods and Ruler of the Sky, with whom Hades has a tense relationship

Poseidon, God of the Sea

Poseidon

Brother

God of the Seas, another of the Big Three who shares Hades's immense power

Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades

Nico di Angelo

Son (Greek)

The Ghost King, a powerful demigod who can shadow travel and command the dead

Hazel Levesque, Daughter of Pluto

Hazel Levesque

Daughter (Roman)

A demigod from the past with control over precious metals and the Mist

Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest

Demeter

Sister / Mother-in-Law

Goddess of Agriculture and mother of Persephone, with a fraught relationship with Hades

Test Your Knowledge of Hades

What is Hades's Roman name?