Hades

Lore & Background

Hades is the eldest of the Big Three gods, alongside his brothers Zeus and Poseidon. When the world was divided, he drew the Underworld as his domain. He is the god of the dead and of all the earth's hidden wealth. He is often feared and misunderstood by mortals and gods alike. In The Lightning Thief, he is initially presented as a suspect in the theft of Zeus's master bolt, leading to conflict with Percy Jackson. He later reveals that he was also robbed of his Helm of Darkness. In The Last Olympian, he fights alongside the other gods against Kronos, providing crucial support during the Battle of Manhattan. He acknowledges that the survival of Olympus is more important than old grudges. He is the father of Nico di Angelo and Hazel Levesque, and his relationship with them is a key part of their stories. He is a stern and often distant father, but he ultimately cares for his children.

In Their Own Story

In The Lightning Thief, Hades first appears when Percy, Annabeth, and Grover travel to the Underworld to retrieve the master bolt. Hades accuses Percy of stealing both the bolt and his Helm of Darkness. He is angry and threatening, but ultimately allows them to leave after Percy proves his innocence. In The Last Olympian, Hades leads an army of the dead to fight against Kronos's forces in Manhattan. He fights alongside his brother Poseidon, and they work together to defend Olympus. He later acknowledges his son Nico and shows a willingness to protect his family. In The Blood of Olympus, Hades is one of the gods who fights against Gaea. He is present at the final battle and helps to defeat the earth goddess. He also plays a role in the events of The Sun and the Star, where he is left alone at Camp Half-Blood with Dionysus, Nico, and Will. He reluctantly authorizes Nico and Will to go on a quest to Tartarus to rescue the Titan Bob.

Reader's Guide

Hades is a powerful god with authority over the dead and the earth's riches. He can control the dead, summon ghosts, and create shadows for travel. He wields a Helm of Darkness that renders him invisible. He is a member of the Olympian council, though he rarely attends meetings. He is often portrayed as a villain, but he is actually a complex figure who enforces the laws of death with grim fairness. He is the father of Nico di Angelo and Hazel Levesque. He is a stern and often distant father, but he ultimately cares for his children. In The Last Olympian, he provides vital support to the demigods during the Battle of Manhattan, acknowledging that the survival of Olympus is more important than old grudges. His arc culminates in accepting his son Nico and recognizing the value of family beyond the petty squabbles of gods.

Did You Know?

• Hades is the eldest of the Big Three, having drawn the Underworld by lot when the world was divided.
• He was robbed of his Helm of Darkness at the same time Zeus's master bolt was stolen in The Lightning Thief.
• He fought alongside the other gods against Kronos in The Last Olympian, providing crucial support during the Battle of Manhattan.
• He is the father of Nico di Angelo and Hazel Levesque.
• He rarely attends Olympian council meetings, preferring to remain in his domain.