Author: Imrul Hasan

In the vast pantheon of Greek mythology, few gods commanded as much fear and reverence as Hades, the ruler of the underworld. Unlike Zeus, Poseidon, or Apollo—gods whose names were spoken with admiration and devotion—Hades' name was rarely uttered aloud by the ancient Greeks. To do so was to risk drawing his attention, an outcome few would welcome. Instead, they referred to him by euphemisms—most commonly, Plouton, meaning "wealth-giver." This deep-seated fear was not because Hades was evil—unlike later depictions in Christian and pop culture interpretations, the Greek underworld was not a place of eternal damnation but a final resting place for all souls. However, the mysteries of death and the unknown made Hades a deity best left unmentioned. The avoidance of his name reveals much about...