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and was where those punished resided.

In the Underworld there were five rivers, although the Styx is the best known as it forms the boundary between upper and lower worlds. The five rivers are Acheron (the river of sorrow), Cocytus (lamentation), Phlegethon (fire), Lethe (forgetfulness) and Styx (hate).

All deceased mortals would enter the Underworld by crossing the Acheron with the aid of Charon. On the far side of the river was Cerberus, who prevented any soul from making a return journey. In the forecourt of hades' palace, sat three judges. Hecate's sacred trivium of Aeacus, Minos and Rhadamanthys sat in judgement of the departed. In the Underworld there was no special punishment, all mortals were judged on their actions and either cursed or rewarded.

Hades was a passive figure in the process of death. Whilst he presided over funeral rites and defended the right of the dead to a decent burial, much of the work was left to his minions, Thanatos, Hypnos, Charon and Cerberus. Hades was not Death, as that role was taken by Thanatos, whilst Charon was the ferryman.

With his domain assured, Hades sought a wife to become queen of the Underworld. Hades asked Zeus for one of his daughters to become his consort. Zeus offered Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Persephone would not go willingly and so was abducted by Hades. Demeter though was distraught, and without her daughter by her side, cast a famine over the earth. Zeus ordered Hades to return Persephone to her mother.

Hades tricked Persephone to eat some pomegranate seeds before she returned to Demeter. The seeds bound Persephone to the Underworld for a part of each year. Persephone was said to live with Hades during autumn and winter, at which point Demeter would grieve causing a famine on the lands. Each spring and summer though Hades would return his wife to the land of the living, causing crops to grow, as Demeter was full of joy.

The story of Persephone is another example of Hellene Olympians replacing existing gods. Persephone was in older tales the sole queen of the Underworld, but just as with Hera and Medusa, the male dominated religion of the Hellenes downgraded the female gods.

Hades was feared by god and man, and people avoided speaking his name in case they were singled out by the god. As a result names were created to use in daily life. In particular he was called Clymenus (notorious), Eubuleus (good guessing) and Polydegmon (receiver of many). Hades was also known as Aides, Aidoneus, Haides

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