Hades, the god of the underworld, is NOT considered one of the 12 Olympian gods. He is part of the Greek pantheon, but resides in the underworld rather than on Mount Olympus with the other major deities.
Hades is the eldest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and the brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. As the ruler of the underworld, his domain was the realm of the dead, where he presided over the spirits of those who had passed on from the mortal world.
Some key facts about Hades:
- He is not typically counted among the 12 Olympians, as he dwells in the underworld rather than on Mount Olympus.
- His wife is Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, who was abducted by Hades to be his queen in the underworld.
- Hades is associated with wealth, as he is the guardian of the precious metals and gems that lie beneath the earth’s surface.
- He is often depicted as a stern, aloof, and merciless figure, maintaining order and justice in the realm of the dead.
- Although not one of the Olympians, Hades was still an immensely powerful and influential deity in the Greek pantheon, commanding respect and fear among both gods and mortals.
So in summary, while Hades was a major Greek god, he was distinct from the 12 Olympians who resided on Mount Olympus, as his domain was the underworld rather than the heavens.