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From Greek and Roman Mythology & Heroic Legend, by Professor H. Steuding, Translated from the German and Edited by Lionel D. Barnett. The Temple Primers, London: J. M. Dent; 1901; pp. 13-14.

[13]

Greek Religion from the Beginning of the Homeric Age

Hades.   § 24.  Beyond doubt Hades, whose home in the region of Elis, was originally of kindred character to Asklepios. By the time of Homer however he had risen from the rank of a local god to be the ruler of the universal Nether World. Like the dead, he is invisible, hence the very name Aïdoneus, Aïdes, or Hades, ‘the invisible one’ or ‘giver of invisibility’ ( + ἰδ-ειν); this property is attributed to a helmet usually worn by him, which serves as a cap of darkness.

This all-powerful ruler of the lower world is accounted the brother of Zeus and Poseidon; indeed he himself is termed ‘Underground Zeus’ (Ζ. χθόνιος, καταχθόνιος), and like the former represented as enthroned with the sceptre. His spouse is Persephoneia (or Persephone, in Attic Phersephatta or Pherephatta), and like her Hades as lord of the depths of earth is at the same time guardian of the corn as long as it rests in the bosom of the ground. In this quality he bears as token the full horn or cornucopia, and receives much worship under the names Pluton (‘bestower of riches,’ in Latin Dis pater), Klymenos (‘the distinguished’), and Eubuleus (‘well-wisher’), while as a god of death he was especially adored at Pylos (‘Gate’ of the nether world) in Elis. When prayers are made to him the earth is struck with the hands in order that he shall hear them; and to him, as to the dead, black victims are offered. The dark-haired cypress, which was planted on graves, and otherwise much used in the cult of the dead, and the quickly fading narcissus are sacred to him. The Erinyes, Thanatos (‘Death’), and the sleep-god Hypnos, 14 who are conceived as like him, dwell in his domain. As to the legend of Herakles wounding him, see § 143.





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Greek Religion from the Beginning of the Homeric Age :

Olympian Deities.



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