Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy
Year 2
I am thinking of "evil" Hades: God of the underworld what can you tell me that fits in this question?
Hi,
Let's take a closer look.
Assignment:
what is meant by the terms "ultimate power," "finitude," "good," and "evil." Next, choose a lesser god or deity who best represents the definition for each term, explaining in detail why you selected that particular god. Make sure that the gods you choose come from at least three differing backgrounds.

Question for you:

1. I think I will use Hades as the "evil" is that right? Only give info on Hades...I will build the others once I know this is okay. Please do not just copy from web sites I can do that search myself. Just give in your own words.... not looking for anything polished here just enough to get me on the right track. Any websites you may know of would be great...but please answer in your own words.
Perhaps Hades, the god of the underworld, is not the best choice of gods to represent evil. He was the son of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea, and considered an Olympian god. Despite modern connotations of death as "evil", Hades was actually more altruistically inclined in Greek mythology. The Underworld is not the same as the Christian Hell, a place of punsihment for the evil people. Rather, it was a place where all the dead recided underground. The Olympain god, Hades was often portrayed as passive rather than evil. His role was often maintaining relative balance. Hades ruled the dead, assisted by demons over whom he had complete authority. He strictly forbade his subjects to leave his domain and would become quite enraged when anyone tried to leave, or if someone tried to steal the souls from his realm. Though associated with death, however, Hades was not an evil character and was often described in myth as 'just and fair'.
See http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/greekpanth/p/hades.htm.
Another god to consider, is Set, referred to as the Evil One in Eqyptian mythology. Set the Evil One envied his brother Osiris and hated his sister Isis. The more the people loved and praised Osiris, the more Set hated him. The more Osiris did good deeds for mankind, the happier mankind became, AND the stronger Set's desire to kill his brother grew. He loved evil and the darkness and intended to rule in his brother's place. And when Osiris returned from one of his travels, Set the Evil One welcomed him back, while at the same time, plotting to kill him. In the darkness, while hunting one night, Set came across his brother, and, as legend has it, Set's hatred and anger came upon him and he raged against his brother. By his divine strength, he tore open the chest of Osiris and tore the body in fourteen pieces, which he scattered in the river so that the crocodiles might eat them. Then, after killing his own brother, Set's laughter echoed through the land, and all who heard it trembled and hid. He then claims the throne of the gods for his own. Indeed, Set was the major antagonist and embodiment of "evil" to the Egyptians. That would perhaps be the main reason that you would chose Set the Evil One to represent "evil."
See http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/set.htm.
Also see http://www.egyptianmyths.net/mythisis.htm.
And, see also http://www.sacred-texts.com/egy/ebod/ebod04.htm.