Literature: Hades - Land of the Dead (Tales of Greek Mythology)

Rape of ProserpineIn the tales of the ancient Greeks, the god of the underworld has always remained a bit of an enigma.

Rape of ProserpineIn the tales of the ancient Greeks, the god of the underworld has always remained a bit of an enigma.

It was not common for mortals to utter his name outloud, for they were afraid of attracting the attention of the Dark Lord.

It was not common for mortals to utter his name outloud, for they were afraid of attracting the attention of the Dark Lord.

It was not common for mortals to utter his name outloud, for they were afraid of attracting the attention of the Dark Lord.

It was not common for mortals to utter his name outloud, for they were afraid of attracting the attention of the Dark Lord.

This was because along with the title of Lord of the Dead, the god also acquired all of the riches found buried beneath the earth.

This was because along with the title of Lord of the Dead, the god also acquired all of the riches found buried beneath the earth.

Though Hades had many treasures, it was said that his prize possession was a mysterious helmet of invisibility given to him by the Cyclopes during the great war of gods and titans.

Though Hades had many treasures, it was said that his prize possession was a mysterious helmet of invisibility given to him by the Cyclopes during the great war of gods and titans.

Though Hades had many treasures, it was said that his prize possession was a mysterious helmet of invisibility given to him by the Cyclopes during the great war of gods and titans.

Though Hades had many treasures, it was said that his prize possession was a mysterious helmet of invisibility given to him by the Cyclopes during the great war of gods and titans.

There is not a lot of information about Hades, and as with Hermes he usually plays a small background role in the midst of a much larger drama.

There is not a lot of information about Hades, and as with Hermes he usually plays a small background role in the midst of a much larger drama.

There is not a lot of information about Hades, and as with Hermes he usually plays a small background role in the midst of a much larger drama.

The most well known story concerns the god's abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone, and how she became his wife and Queen of the Underworld.

The most well known story concerns the god's abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone, and how she became his wife and Queen of the Underworld.

You can read more about this by clicking the link leading to the page I have dedicated to Persephone .

You can read more about this by clicking the link leading to the page I have dedicated to Persephone .

Because an oracle once predicted to Cronus that one of his offspring would defeat him and steal his throne, the Titan decided to swallow all of his children alive the moment they came into the world.

Because an oracle once predicted to Cronus that one of his offspring would defeat him and steal his throne, the Titan decided to swallow all of his children alive the moment they came into the world.

Because an oracle once predicted to Cronus that one of his offspring would defeat him and steal his throne, the Titan decided to swallow all of his children alive the moment they came into the world.

Rhea, who yearned for a baby of her own, soon grew tired of this and decided to fool her husband.

Rhea, who yearned for a baby of her own, soon grew tired of this and decided to fool her husband.

After giving birth to her youngest son Zeus she wrapped a stone in a baby's blanket and gave it to Cronus to devour.

Just as was promised by the priestess, Zeus grew to manhood and returned to overthrow his father.

Just as was promised by the priestess, Zeus grew to manhood and returned to overthrow his father.

Cronus was given a magic potion which caused him vomit up the other siblings.

Cronus was given a magic potion which caused him vomit up the other siblings.

The universe was then divided among the three brothers by the act of drawing lots.

The universe was then divided among the three brothers by the act of drawing lots.

Zeus was granted the sky, Poseidon the sea and Hades dominion over the underworld.

Zeus was granted the sky, Poseidon the sea and Hades dominion over the underworld.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Though Olympus and earth were considered neutral territory belonging to all, Hades preferred to spend most of his time residing in his own dark domain.

Usually having no first hand knowledge of events happening in the world of the living, Hades would instead piece together bits of information provided by mortals taking oaths and invoking curses in his name.

Usually having no first hand knowledge of events happening in the world of the living, Hades would instead piece together bits of information provided by mortals taking oaths and invoking curses in his name.

Usually having no first hand knowledge of events happening in the world of the living, Hades would instead piece together bits of information provided by mortals taking oaths and invoking curses in his name.

Usually having no first hand knowledge of events happening in the world of the living, Hades would instead piece together bits of information provided by mortals taking oaths and invoking curses in his name.

Usually having no first hand knowledge of events happening in the world of the living, Hades would instead piece together bits of information provided by mortals taking oaths and invoking curses in his name.

MintheHowever, there are a few instances when the beauty of a female caused the usually grim spirited god to venture into the light of the upper world.

MintheHowever, there are a few instances when the beauty of a female caused the usually grim spirited god to venture into the light of the upper world.

MintheHowever, there are a few instances when the beauty of a female caused the usually grim spirited god to venture into the light of the upper world.

One such woman was a nymph known as Minthe.

The god was having no problem attracting attention to himself, and would have succeeded in seducing the impressionable young girl had not Queen Persephone showed up to intervene.

The god was having no problem attracting attention to himself, and would have succeeded in seducing the impressionable young girl had not Queen Persephone showed up to intervene.

The god was having no problem attracting attention to himself, and would have succeeded in seducing the impressionable young girl had not Queen Persephone showed up to intervene.

The god was having no problem attracting attention to himself, and would have succeeded in seducing the impressionable young girl had not Queen Persephone showed up to intervene.

The god was having no problem attracting attention to himself, and would have succeeded in seducing the impressionable young girl had not Queen Persephone showed up to intervene.

She immediately turned the unfortunate nymph into the fragrant plant that we know today as mint.

She immediately turned the unfortunate nymph into the fragrant plant that we know today as mint.

She immediately turned the unfortunate nymph into the fragrant plant that we know today as mint.

On another lustful pursuit, Hades tried to take the nymph Leuce by force.

When she resisted she was transformed into a white poplar and taken into the depths of the undeworld.

When she resisted she was transformed into a white poplar and taken into the depths of the undeworld.

When she resisted she was transformed into a white poplar and taken into the depths of the undeworld.

There she would be destined to remain forever, sadly standing beside the pool of memory.

Island of the DeadThe traditional location of the realm of Hades was underground.

Island of the DeadThe traditional location of the realm of Hades was underground.

Island of the DeadThe traditional location of the realm of Hades was underground.

Though many regions across Greece claimed possession of the entryway, the main entrance to Tartarus was said to lie between a group of black poplar trees found running beside the River Oceanus.

Though many regions across Greece claimed possession of the entryway, the main entrance to Tartarus was said to lie between a group of black poplar trees found running beside the River Oceanus.

Though many regions across Greece claimed possession of the entryway, the main entrance to Tartarus was said to lie between a group of black poplar trees found running beside the River Oceanus.

It was here the newly departed were met by Charon the ferryman.

The unlucky ghosts who were laid to rest without a penny were left to remain stranded forever on the river bank.

The unlucky ghosts who were laid to rest without a penny were left to remain stranded forever on the river bank.

Their only recourse was to sneak away from their guide Hermes and make their way down a back entrance.

Hades and CerberusThe land of the dead was protected by Hades' three headed dog Cerberus.

His duty was to bar all tresspassers from the land of the living, while allowing the shades to pass by freely.

His duty was to bar all tresspassers from the land of the living, while allowing the shades to pass by freely.

Cerberus also kept watch over the gates, making sure that once a soul entered, it remained for eternity.

Before being led to their permanent places of residence, the newly deceased were required to drink from the Pool of Lethe.

Before being led to their permanent places of residence, the newly deceased were required to drink from the Pool of Lethe.

Before being led to their permanent places of residence, the newly deceased were required to drink from the Pool of Lethe.

Just one taste of this water of forgetfulness would leave the spirit void of all memories of his former life on earth.

The three judges could be found in the sacred area where three roads meet.

The three judges could be found in the sacred area where three roads meet.

Here they sat and methodically decided the fate of all the new arrivals.

Each spirit was then directed to travel down the path that best corresponded to the way he conducted his life on earth.

Each spirit was then directed to travel down the path that best corresponded to the way he conducted his life on earth.

Those who were neither virtuous or evil were sent back to the Fields of Asphodel.

It was here that the joyless souls of heroes languished without purpose, their only release being the libations of blood that were poured to them by the living.

It was here that the joyless souls of heroes languished without purpose, their only release being the libations of blood that were poured to them by the living.

It was here that the joyless souls of heroes languished without purpose, their only release being the libations of blood that were poured to them by the living.

It was here that the joyless souls of heroes languished without purpose, their only release being the libations of blood that were poured to them by the living.

It was here that the joyless souls of heroes languished without purpose, their only release being the libations of blood that were poured to them by the living.

The Golden BoughIt was just past this meadow that the palace of Hades and Queen Persephone could be found.

Somber it sat beside the Pool of Lethe, both beneath the perpetual shade of a white cypress tree.

Somber it sat beside the Pool of Lethe, both beneath the perpetual shade of a white cypress tree.

The Elysium Fields were made up of beautiful orchards that were located near the Pool of Memory.

The Elysium Fields were made up of beautiful orchards that were located near the Pool of Memory.

Those living here were given the chance to be reborn on earth anytime they desired.

Shades who were virtuous enough to reach Elysium three times were sent to the Fortunate Islands, a domain filled with glorious beasts and the ghosts of celebrated heroes.

Shades who were virtuous enough to reach Elysium three times were sent to the Fortunate Islands, a domain filled with glorious beasts and the ghosts of celebrated heroes.

Shades who were virtuous enough to reach Elysium three times were sent to the Fortunate Islands, a domain filled with glorious beasts and the ghosts of celebrated heroes.

The realm of Tartarus was located deep beneath the surface of the earth.

The roots of both land and sea grew above it, and it was said an anvil would have to fall nine days before ever reaching it's shores.

It was here, behind a prison of bronze fencing and iron gates that one would find the souls of those sentenced to eternal punishment.

It was here, behind a prison of bronze fencing and iron gates that one would find the souls of those sentenced to eternal punishment.

All residing here were under the guard of the Hundred-handed; three giants with fifty heads and one hundred arms who were the half brothers of Zeus.

Along with their brothers the Cyclopes, the Hundred-handed found favor with Zeus by coming to his aid during the great war and were rewarded justly by being set free from this vast prison.

Along with their brothers the Cyclopes, the Hundred-handed found favor with Zeus by coming to his aid during the great war and were rewarded justly by being set free from this vast prison.

Along with their brothers the Cyclopes, the Hundred-handed found favor with Zeus by coming to his aid during the great war and were rewarded justly by being set free from this vast prison.