Pluto

In Greek mythology, lord of Hades, the underworld and also his original name. His Roman counterpart was Dis (also Orcus). He was the son of the Titans Kronos and Rhea; and brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter. He abducted and married Persephone, daughter of the goddess of agriculture Demeter, causing winter on Earth; Persephone was eventually allotted six months of each year in Hades, and six with her mother.

Pluto was swallowed at birth by Kronos who believed that his children would destroy him; Zeus, being hidden, later forced his father to regurgitate the siblings. In the ensuing battle, Pluto was given a helmet of darkness by the one-eyed giant Cyclops. Kronos was overthrown and his rule divided between the three gods: Zeus receiving the sky, Poseidon the sea, and Pluto the underworld.

Worship The name Pluto, ‘giver of wealth’ (associated with minerals, crops, springs), was reputedly bestowed on the ruler of the underworld because no-one dared utter his original title Hades (initially Aides ‘unseen’). The name Hades was applied to his kingdom. Black sheep were sacrificed to him, the supplicant averting his eyes from the altar during the ritual.