Parents: Cronus and Rhea

Birth: Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, and the first to be swallowed by his father. He spent his early existence trapped inside Cronus until Zeus freed him and his siblings.

Story: Hades ruled the Underworld, the realm of the dead. Unlike what many believe, Hades was not evil — he was stern, fair, and kept the balance between life and death. He rarely left his kingdom and was the least involved of the three brothers in the affairs of Olympus. His most famous story is the abduction of Persephone, whom he fell deeply in love with and took to be his queen. He owned a magical helm of invisibility, forged by the Cyclopes, which he lent to Perseus for his quest to slay Medusa.

The Underworld: Hades's kingdom was a vast realm beneath the earth, divided into several regions. The souls of the ordinary dead wandered the Asphodel Meadows, a gray and joyless place. The wicked were sent to Tartarus, where they faced eternal punishment — Tantalus stood in water he could never drink beneath fruit he could never reach, and Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down each time. The virtuous and heroic were rewarded in Elysium, a paradise of eternal sunshine and peace. The entire realm was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog, and the rivers Styx, Acheron, Lethe, and Phlegethon.

Hades's Character: Despite his fearsome reputation, Hades was actually one of the most fair and just of the gods. He never cheated, rarely broke his word, and treated the dead with impartial judgment. He was also the wealthiest god, as all precious metals and gems hidden beneath the earth belonged to him — earning him the title "The Rich One." Unlike the other Olympians, Hades rarely involved himself in the drama and politics of Mount Olympus, preferring the quiet solitude of his kingdom.

Symbol: Cerberus, cypress tree, helm of darkness, keys.

Represents: The dead, the Underworld, and hidden wealth beneath the earth.