Hades was the ruler of the Greek Underworld (which itself is
sometimes confusingly referred to as "Hades" also). In mythology,
he was the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and therefore from the
first generation of Olympian gods. And the manner in which Hades
became the lord of the shadowy Underworld is worth
mentioning.
According to the myth, the three sons of Kronos and Rhea - Zeus,
Poseidon, and Hades - each drew lots to determine which part of the
world they would rule. Zeus and Poseidon received the sky and the
seas respectively, and Hades was therefore left with the
Underworld.
Hades ruled the realm of the dead alone. That is, until he became
enamored of the beautiful goddess Persephone. The legend of how
Persephone became the bride of Hades and the Queen of the
underworld is told in the Hymn to Demeter. Although the
relationship between Hades and Persephone appears to have begun
badly - Hades abducted his future bride and whisked her away in a
chariot - their union was peaceful (unlike the marriage of his
brother Zeus...).
Hades was identified with Dis (Dis Pater) in Roman mythology.
Hades and the Underworld
Since Hades was the ruler of the Underworld, it makes sense to note
one of the key features of this region - its myriad rivers. These
rivers each had names and symbolic meanings: