Hades and Persephone

Hades

God of the underworld Child of Cronus and Rhea Wife: Persephone

Hades’ Helpers

Hermes- Guided the soul of the dead to the river Styx

Charon- Ferryman of the river Styx› Would only ferry people across who had

money Cerberus- Three headed dog and

guardian of the underworld › Allowed the dead to enter but not leave

Famous Tortured Souls

Sisyphus of Corinth- The very clever king

Asopus, a river god, lost his daughter › Sisyphus bargained with Asopus, a spring

for info › Sisyphus told him that Zeus had stolen her› Asopus confronts Zeus› Zeus turns his daughter into an island,

himself into a rock

Zeus’ Anger

Zeus asks Hades to take Sisyphus to the underworld

Sisyphus deceived him and bound him with a chain› No one could die › Gods threatened punishment so he

released Hades› Sisyphus was first to die

Sisyphus the Beggar

Sisyphus instructed his wife to not put a coin under his tongue

The gods were angry at this and sent Sisyphus back to punish his wife

His trick worked and he lived for many years with his wife till his death

Sisyphus’ Labor

Zeus was angry because he had been out smarted

He condemned Sisyphus to roll a rock up a hill. The rock would roll down once he reached the top and he would have to push it up again.

What is a Sisyphean labor?