Hades
	"Pluto," by Agostino Carracci, 1592.

Hades is the King of the Underworld, one of the six original Olympians. He is also the God of death, which is why many fear to speak his name and are particularly careful if using his name in magickal works. Hades is often depicted on a thundering chariot.

The underworld, Hades' domain, is separate from the land of the living. It's physical location is not clear, except that it is well guarded. The land of the dead is separated from the land of the living by five rivers and is guarded by an enormous three headed dog named Cerberus. The dead are ferried across the river Styx (River of Hate) by the ferryman Charon. They then face three judges who decide their fate. The good go to a beautiful place called the Elysian Fields. The evil go to Tartarus, where they are eternally punished. Hades is the Lord of both the good and evil domains.

Hades was the lone ruler of the underworld until one day he decided to take a bride. He asked Zeus for the hand of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. Zeus being indifferent, Hades rode up on his chariot and stole away Persephone to the underworld. Demeter's lamentations at her daughter's abduction and the ensuing famine are detailed in Hymn to Demeter. Persephone eventually consumed fruit from the underworld, thereby sealing her marriage to Hades. To this day, she reigns as his Queen six months of every year.

In Roman mythology, Hades is referred to as Pluto, a name meaning wealth. He was given this name because of extensive wealth found under the earth in the form of minerals. This was all considered to part of Hades' domain.

Genealogy: Hades is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. He is the brother of Poseidon (God of the Sea), Zeus (King of Gods), Hestia and Demeter. Hera is his sister and also his wife. Zeus had numerous lovers and countless immortal offspring including Ares, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes and Persephone.

Symbols: The sceptre and the cornucopia.