Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood gods in Greek mythology: Hades.
For some reason, every time there’s a retelling of Greek myths — be it in movies, shows, or even some books — Hades almost always gets cast as the villain. Dark clothes? Check. Creepy lair? Check. Evil plans? Double check. But here's the thing:
In the actual myths, Hades is not the villain. Not even close.
💀 Who is Hades, Really?
In the versions of the myths I’ve read, Hades is:
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The god of the Underworld, not death itself.
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Calm, fair, and lawful — he doesn’t take souls before their time.
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Respected by the other gods, even if feared.
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Not power-hungry — unlike some of his brothers.
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Known for being loyal and steadfast, especially in his role.
In fact, out of the Big Three (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades), Hades is probably the most stable. He doesn’t constantly chase power, doesn’t meddle in Olympus drama, and generally just... does his job.
So why is he always made out to be the bad guy?
🎭 The “Evil Underworld” Stereotype
A lot of it comes from a modern idea that anything related to the underworld must be bad. Thanks to pop culture (and some confusion with more Western ideas of Hell), Hades gets lumped in with villains just because he’s associated with death and shadows.
But in Greek mythology, the Underworld wasn’t evil. It was just... where souls went. And Hades was its king — not a tyrant, but a guardian of balance.
Yet somehow, he keeps getting turned into a scheming overlord who wants to take over Olympus. That’s just not true in the stories I’ve read.
📘 The Lightning Thief: A Breath of Fresh Air
This is why I appreciate Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief so much.
In the beginning of the book, it seems like the classic setup: Hades must be the villain — he’s the god of the Underworld, after all! Everyone suspects him of stealing Zeus’s master bolt.
But then… surprise.
Hades isn’t the villain. He’s just doing his job.
He’s protecting the dead. He’s trying to manage a realm filled with unrest. And when Percy meets him, Hades is angry — yes — but not evil. He didn’t steal the bolt. He didn’t want a war. He wanted peace, and his own family safe.
That twist was so refreshing. It showed that:
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Not everything dark is bad.
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Not all assumptions are correct.
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And Hades is more than a shadowy figure — he’s a god of order, loyalty, and silent strength.
🕊️ Let’s Give Hades the Credit He Deserves
Sure, Hades can be intense. He’s not exactly warm and fuzzy. But he’s not cruel for the sake of being cruel. In the stories I’ve read, he’s fair, focused, and keeps the world running behind the scenes.
He doesn’t seek glory, and maybe that’s why he’s so misunderstood. But in truth, he’s one of the most respectable gods in the pantheon.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Not all villains wear crowns. And not all gods in shadow are wicked. It’s time we stop painting Hades as the bad guy just because he rules the Underworld.
Thanks to storytellers like Rick Riordan, more readers are finally seeing that — and hopefully, future retellings will too.
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