1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Agnosticism / Atheism

Hades / Haides / Pluto

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art of Hades »

Hades and Persephone

 

The Greeks had a number of other words for Haides as well because they feared to invoke his true name: Clymenus (notorious), Eubuleus (well-guessing), Polydegmon (who receives many). Greeks were far less likely to swear oaths by his name than by the name of any other gods. It's not as though the Greeks were anxious to meet their gods in general, but they were far more scared of the possibility of meeting Hades than of meeting any others.

The occasional prayer to Hades seems to have involved the sacrifice of black animals (associated with death) and banging on the ground (to make sure he was paying attention). No temples dedicated to him have been discovered and ancient statues of him are very rare. The only place any sort of regular worship of Hades occurred seems to have been an unusual site at Elis where a priest performed rituals once a year.

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art of Hades »

Explore Agnosticism / Atheism
About.com Special Features

2010 Horoscopes

Find out what the new year holds for you. More >

Prayers for All Occasions

Use these prayers to inspire and inform your own conversations with God. More >

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Agnosticism / Atheism

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.