Papa Hades Novels & Stories

In the popular game 'Hades', the protagonist Zagreus is the son of Hades. Therefore, technically, his last name would be Hades. However, in Greek mythology, gods are commonly known by their first names and do not stick to convention of having last names.

Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, actually has a pretty small family. He only has two confirmed children in the ancient myths. His daughter Melinoë is a goddess of ghosts and nightmares, and his son Zagreus is associated with rebirth after death. Not exactly a large brood for a god, but considering Hades' gloomy job, it's understandable.

Hades is one of those mythological figures whose age is as timeless as the stories themselves. In Greek mythology, he's part of the original Olympian gods, the children of Cronus and Rhea, which means he's been around since the dawn of their pantheon. Unlike mortal characters who have birth years, deities like Hades exist outside of human timeframes. He's often depicted as an elder among the gods, not in the sense of being frail but as a figure of authority and ancient power. The myths describe him ruling the Underworld since the Titanomachy, the great war between the Titans and the Olympians, which would place his 'age' at several millennia by human standards.

Interestingly, Hades' age isn't just a number—it's a reflection of his role. He's one of the eldest Olympians, alongside Zeus and Poseidon, and his dominion over the dead means he's associated with eternity itself. In modern retellings like 'Hades' the game by Supergiant Games, he's portrayed with a timeless, almost ageless presence, fitting for a god who oversees the afterlife. The lack of a specific age for Hades adds to his mystique, making him a figure who embodies the concept of endless time rather than a measurable lifespan.