Hades (Pluto) God of the Underworld Two palaces: one in Olympus & a black one in the bowels of the Earth Married to Persephone Weapon: Invisibility Hat Controlled all earth phenomena, including gemstones (wealth), agricultural abundance, and death Entering the Underworld Greek men and women were buried with coins in their mouths. The task of bringing the newly dead to the Underworld belonged to Thanatos (Death). The dead paid the ferryman Charon with their coins to ferry them across the River Styx (the river of unbreakable oaths) to the Underworld. Those buried without coins (i.e. dishonorably) were condemned to live in purgatory on the banks of the river for all eternity. The gates to the Underworld were guarded by a three-headed dog called Cerberus. No one alive could enter, and no one dead could leave, or they would face Cerberus’s wrath. The After-Life Upon arrival in the Underworld, souls stand before three judges, who pass sentence on the dead. The very evil are sent to everlasting torment. The very good are sent to the Elysian Fields, where they can choose to be re-born. If you reach Elysian Fields three times in three lives, you can progress to the Isles of the Blessed. The rest are sent to the Fields of Asphodel – a wasteland inhabited by wandering spirits The Erinyes (Furies) pursued sinners on earth & punished evildoers in the Underworld. The waists of the Erinyes were entwined with serpents and their eyes dripped with blood. They have wings. Fun Facts J.K. Rowling was inspired by many myths when she penned the Harry Potter series. As we progress, see who you recognize! Hera (Juno) Queen of the Gods Married to Zeus Goddess of marriage, Goddess of fertility (obviously) of legitimate children, women in all stages of life, & motherhood Hates all Zeus’s other partners and illegitimate children, and pursues them relentlessly, but also intensely loyal to all who are unjustly persecuted. Animal: Peacock Symbol: Pomegranate Aphrodite (Venus) Goddess of Love & Beauty Arose from the sea as a fully grown adult Married to Hephaestus, but usually paired in an adulterous affair with Ares Weapon: Magic girdle (belt) that makes her even more irresistible Birth of Athena Zeus lay with the a Titan called Metis, who bore all the wisdom of the world within her. She became pregnant. A prophecy was uttered that Metis’s daughter would bear a son who would de-throne Zeus. Terrified, Zeus swallowed Metis whole. Nine months later, he developed an unbearable pain in his head. He begged Hephaestus to split his head with an axe. Athena sprang forth, fully grown. .