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Author Topic:   Mythology Series Part VII - Hades
NickiG
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Posts: 3706
From: Pluto, next to Ami Ann
Registered: Jul 2010

posted June 19, 2011 07:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NickiG     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hades (my favorite topic so sorry if it is longer than the others ) is the God of the Underworld, brother to Zeus, Hera, Demeter and Poseidon. Roman counterpart is Pluto.

He is known as the god of the dead and is often associated with the three headed guard dog Cerberus. In modern times he became known as the Grim Reaper as well as associated with other dark and apparently evil things, although he was not evil in the myths.

Hades' realm is often depicted as dark and gloomy and it was believed that was where all mortals go when they die until christianity was introduced. It was believed that the souls of the departed are to cross The River Styx by Charon (depicted as a skeleton in black robes) who charged so people often buried their dead with a coin to ensure safe passage in the afterlife until they got to the gate guarded by Cerberus. It is said there are five rivers in the Afterlife, each with their own symbols and meaning: Acheron (sorrow), Cocytus (lamentation), Phlegethon (fire), Lethe (oblivion), and Styx (hate). Styx is said to form the barrier between the upper and lower worlds.

Hades didnt like for people to leave the realm of the Underworld, or "cheat death" with the rare exception of the heros such as Heracles, Odysseus, Orpheus, and Theseus.

Orpheus was gifted with music, thanks to Apollo, god of music. Orpheus sailed with Jason and the Argonauts in his youth and after they'r voyage he fell in love with a beautiful nymph named Eurydice and shortly afterwards got married. One night, when Orpheus was away playing at a party in town, Eurydice was strolling near a river and suddenly a local barkeep, who lusted after her, crept up to her, frightening her. She ran off into the woods and got bitten by a snake and soon after she had died from the poison. When Orpheus returned and found out what happened he was heartbroken and almost stopped playing for good. Then he decided he would try to use his abilities to charm his way to get Eurydice back.

He played for Charon as he ferried him across Styx and played for Cerberus and he had stopped growling and sat, enjoying the music. And not just Cerberus, but all the spirits and even Hades himself. Hades was so happy from the time Orpheus spent entertaining him that he agreed to give back Eurydice if he would agree to just one thing: he must walk ahead of her and not look back until they both emerged from the tunnel to the Underworld. Once Orpheus emerged, thinking Eurydice is right behind him, he turned to grab her. But she was still inside the tunnel and she was taken away, back to the Underworld.

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What happens on Venus stays on Venus

-Nasa

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NickiG
Moderator

Posts: 3706
From: Pluto, next to Ami Ann
Registered: Jul 2010

posted June 19, 2011 08:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NickiG     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quite possibly my favorite depiction of Hades from the movie "Hercules"


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What happens on Venus stays on Venus

-Nasa

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