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?