In Disney’s Hercules (1997), Hades rules the Underworld, the realm of the dead in Greek mythology. This is consistent with classical sources, where Hades is the god of the dead and king of the Underworld, though the film takes significant creative liberties with his character and role.
The Underworld in Greek Mythology
In ancient Greek religion and myth, the Underworld (also called Hades, after its ruler) is the realm where the souls of the dead reside. It is not simply a place of punishment; it is a complex domain with multiple regions. The most famous division, found in later texts like Virgil’s Aeneid (though Roman), includes Elysium (or the Elysian Fields) for the virtuous, Asphodel Meadows for ordinary souls, and Tartarus for the wicked. Homer’s Odyssey (Book 11) describes the Underworld as a shadowy place where the dead exist as insubstantial shades, and it is located at the edges of the earth, beyond the river Oceanus. Hesiod’s Theogony (c. 700 BCE) describes Tartarus as a dark, misty prison beneath the earth, as far below Hades as the earth is below the sky.
Hades’ Role and Domain
Hades is one of the three sons of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, along with Zeus and Poseidon. In the standard account (Hesiod, Theogony), after the Olympians defeated the Titans, the three brothers drew lots to divide the cosmos: Zeus received the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Hades the Underworld. The earth and Mount Olympus remained common ground. Thus, Hades’ realm is strictly the Underworld, not the earth or the heavens. He is often called “Plouton” (wealth giver) because the earth’s riches—minerals, gems, and agricultural bounty—come from beneath the soil, which is his domain. In art, he is often depicted with a scepter or a key, signifying his role as the unyielding keeper of the dead.
How the Underworld Works in the Film
In Disney’s Hercules, the Underworld is depicted as a fiery, cavernous realm with rivers of lava and floating souls. It is accessible through a portal that opens in a rocky landscape. The film introduces a comedic, fast-talking Hades (voiced by James Woods) who is not the grim, stern figure of myth but a scheming villain. He rules over the souls of the dead, who are shown as ghostly, blue-green spirits. The film’s Underworld also includes the River Styx, where souls are ferried by a boatman (a nod to Charon), and a place where the Fates spin and cut the thread of life. The film invents the idea that Hades can be defeated if Hercules becomes a true hero, which is not in any ancient source.
Key Differences from Classical Myth
Several elements in the film diverge from traditional mythology:
- Hades’ personality: In myth, Hades is not evil; he is just and impartial, though stern. He rarely leaves his realm and is not a tempter or deceiver. The film makes him the main antagonist, plotting to overthrow Zeus.
- The Fates: The film shows the Fates (Moirai) as three old women sharing an eye, which is accurate to some later Greek and Roman art, but in myth they are not allied with Hades; they are independent goddesses of destiny.
- Hercules’ parentage: In myth, Hercules (Heracles) is the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, and he is not raised in Olympus. The film has him as the son of Zeus and Hera, which is a significant change.
- The Titans: The film depicts the Titans as elemental monsters released by Hades. In myth, the Titans are the older gods, and most are imprisoned in Tartarus after the Titanomachy, but they are not mindless beasts.
Other Realms Ruled by Hades
In some traditions, Hades is also associated with the realm of wealth and precious metals, as mentioned. He is not the god of death (that is Thanatos) nor the god of the underworld in the sense of a judge (that is Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Aeacus). His realm is strictly the abode of the dead, and he is its absolute ruler. He does not rule over the earth or the sea. In the Orphic hymns (a set of religious poems from the 6th century BCE), Hades is sometimes identified with Dionysus or Zeus in a mystical sense, but this is a theological speculation, not a standard narrative.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Hades is the Greek equivalent of the devil or Satan. This is not accurate. The devil is a figure from Christian theology, while Hades is a god of the dead, not a tempter or punisher of the living. In Greek myth, Hades is not evil; he is a necessary part of the cosmic order. Another misconception is that the Underworld is solely a place of punishment. In fact, most souls go to the Asphodel Meadows, a neutral, gray place. Only the truly wicked suffer in Tartarus, and the truly heroic enjoy Elysium. The film’s portrayal of the Underworld as a fiery hellscape is a modern, Christian-influenced interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hades the god of death?
No, Hades is the god of the underworld and the dead, but he is not the personification of death itself. That role belongs to Thanatos, who is a separate deity, often depicted as a winged youth. Hades rules over the realm where souls go after death, but he does not cause death or collect souls personally.
Does Hades ever leave the Underworld?
In myth, Hades rarely leaves his realm. The most famous exception is when he abducts Persephone, his niece, to be his queen. This event is described in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter. He also once left to seek medical help from the healer Asclepius, who had been killed by Zeus and was later resurrected. Otherwise, he remains in his domain.
What is the difference between Hades and Tartarus?
Hades is the name of both the god and the entire realm of the dead. Tartarus is a specific region within that realm, a deep abyss used as a prison for the Titans and other enemies of the gods. In some texts, Tartarus is also a primordial god, but as a place, it is the darkest part of the underworld.
Who else lives in the Underworld?
Besides Hades and Persephone, the Underworld is inhabited by various figures: Charon the ferryman, Cerberus the three-headed dog, the judges of the dead (Minos, Rhadamanthys, Aeacus), and the Erinyes (Furies). The souls of the dead also reside there. In the film, the Fates are shown there, but in myth they are not residents.
Why is Hades often depicted with a helmet?
Hades possesses a helmet of invisibility, given to him by the Cyclopes during the Titanomachy. In the myth of Perseus, the hero borrows this helmet to slay Medusa. In art, Hades is sometimes shown wearing it, but more often he is depicted with a scepter or a cornucopia.
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