King of Underworld-Chapter 179

Where once he called him by name, Zeus began to use honorifics imbued with respect and recognition.

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5. Appearance

Hades is often depicted as a strikingly handsome man with black hair, dark eyes, and an entirely black wardrobe, his demeanor cool and stoic.

The association with black—representing darkness, night, and death—likely influenced this depiction, as his realm, the Underworld, was perceived as somber and foreboding.

Originally imagined as a dignified middle-aged figure like his brothers Zeus and Poseidon, over time, his image shifted to that of a youthful, handsome man.

This change may have been influenced by myths of Hades rejecting Aphrodite’s persistent advances and his distinction from his promiscuous siblings. Unlike them, he was recognized by Hera for having three lawful wives, reinforcing his image as a true alpha male and victor in love.

However, despite his striking appearance, mortals who encountered him, such as Orpheus, often described their overwhelming feelings of terror and a primal fear of death, rather than admiration for his looks.

6. A Benevolent God Who Cares for Mortals

In Greek mythology, most gods treated mortals with cruelty and indifference.

The gap between immortal gods and mortal humans was immense, with gods often killing or cursing humans for minor offenses.

The Olympians were no exception, frequently unleashing floods to destroy humanity or killing mortals for uncovering their flaws. Even Athena, the goddess of wisdom, committed questionable acts, as seen in the myths of Arachne and Medusa.

In contrast, Hades stood out as one of the few gods who consistently showed mercy to mortals.

Despite his fearsome role as King of the Underworld, he was revered as a god of justice and compassion. His faith among humans was immense, as they believed he would judge them fairly after death.

While the Underworld was thought to be completely separate from the mortal realm, Hades often appeared in the human world, embodying his aspects of mercy and justice.

Although some gods viewed Hades’ compassion for mortals with disdain, none dared oppose him.

Among the primordial deities, only Gaia ever challenged him, and even Zeus, the King of the Gods, trusted Hades completely.

In a mythological tradition rife with tales of rape and crime, Hades’ reputation remained unblemished, further solidifying his status as a god of fairness and integrity.

Hades’ compassion extended beyond justice; his acts of mercy rivaled those of saints in mythology.

For instance, when sentencing the mad King Oedipus, who had massacred his people under Gaia’s curse, Hades deliberated with King Minos for hours. Even after passing judgment, Hades agonized over whether he had made the right decision, with Lethe, the goddess of forgetfulness, comforting him afterward.

As a figure of wisdom and strength, Hades often reprimanded Zeus and Poseidon for their misdeeds. His unparalleled authority and strength earned him the moniker “the gods’ policeman.”

This reputation explains why Dionysus withdrew his claim to Princess Ariadne upon realizing that the goddess Dike, wielding Hades’ name, had intervened.

6.1. Perspective of Ancient Greeks

The ancient Greeks believed that no matter how cruel the gods were to mortals, they would be judged fairly in the Underworld after death.

This belief is evident in myths where Hades punishes gods who torment mortals or drags them to the Underworld to perform labor.

Such stories contributed to modern interpretations of the Underworld as both a place of judgment and a bureaucratic office.

Hades appears prominently in the tales of heroes like Cadmus, Perseus, Bellerophon, and Heracles, and was even worshiped as a god who cultivated heroism.

Because heroes often faced death and overcame it, they were closely associated with Hades, who was believed to guide them.

Records indicate that during King Oedipus’ massacre in Thebes, the priests of Hades’ temple did not flee, even as the king slaughtered dozens of soldiers. Instead, they prayed, and their prayers were answered when Hades descended to subdue the mad king.

Such stories reinforced the duality of Hades’ character among the ancient Greeks. While his name inspired fear, his alternate title Pluto evoked reverence.

Cities like Thebes, Ethiopia, Argos, and Troy worshiped Hades as their patron god, recognizing his dual role as a judge of the dead and protector of mortals.

7. Depictions in Modern Media

Modern portrayals of Hades often blend his strict and stoic nature as King of the Underworld with his compassionate side as a god of justice and mercy.

Initially feared as the personification of death, Hades’ image has softened over time, earning him nicknames like The Conscience of Olympus, The Policeman of the Gods, and The Overworked Civil Servant.

However, his status as one of the Three Great Gods remains intact, and he continues to feature prominently in creative works.

In games, Hades often appears as a final boss, summoning Cerberus or commanding legions of the dead. Some stories even cast him as a vengeful figure leading a rebellion against the other Olympians.

In Revolt of the Dead VI, Hades is a final boss with a four-phase fight:

As the God of Mercy, he attempts to persuade the player with calm dialogue and light attacks.As the God of Justice, he imposes debuffs proportional to the player’s kills.As King of the Underworld, he manifests his true form, wielding immense power and overwhelming the battlefield.In the final phase, he dons the Helmet of Invisibility and ambushes the player, delivering devastating strikes.

In the webtoon God of Olympus, Hades is portrayed as a black-haired god who supports the protagonist, Zeus. Despite his supportive role, he often scolds Zeus for his recklessness, reflecting his mythological character.

8. Miscellaneous

While Hades is a strict adherent to rules, he occasionally makes exceptions, as seen with Orpheus retrieving his wife or Heracles bathing in the Styx. These examples highlight the human-like qualities of the Greek gods.

For unknown reasons, Hades is depicted as being unusually close to Eurus, the god of the east wind, despite having little connection in myth.

Due to numerous myths of Hades forcing gods to perform labor in the Underworld, his domain is often interpreted as a Divine Exile Camp or Olympian Workhouse.

Hades is known to protect mortals from rampaging heroes, such as in The Trojan War, where he reprimands Polydueces and Nestor for attacking Troy.

Myths mention that Aphrodite’s attempts to seduce Hades, even with her Cestus, failed, hinting at his remarkable appearance.

Hades’ weaponry was occasionally tested against his helmet, suggesting a meticulous and pragmatic nature.

Hades was revered not only by mortals but also by other gods, many of whom sought his judgment and aid in their disputes.