Thanatos - Greek God of Death

cifer44 (58)in #greek • 6 years ago

More often than not in Greek mythology, Hades is mistaken for the God of death, when it is actually Thanatos. Thanatos is death personified and although he doesn't take a huge part in Greek mythology, he is attributed to the modern day depictions of the Grim Reaper. Often depicted in a black robe with a scythe. The son to Nyx and Erebus (night and dark) he was among the first generation of gods.

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Thanatos was the brother of Hypnos (sleep) and although he was a god of death, he was not evil and thought to be the spirit of nonviolent death. Thanatos was unbiased on his work and merciless to those who were at death's door. But his acts were often quick and painless. King Sisyphos was one of only a few to trick death after angering Zeus. Sisyphos had trapped Thanatos in chains that were to be used by him to chain Sisyphos in the underworld and escaped death also stopping people from dying. The war god Ares was not pleased by this and released Thanatos and giving over Sisyphos. Thanatos was also fought by Heracles. In later eras, Thanatos' appearence would change in art to be a beautiful man.

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Hear me, O Death, whose empire unconfin'd
extends to mortal tribes of ev'ry kind.
On thee, the portion of our time depends,
whose absence lengthens life, whose presence ends.

Thy sleep perpetual bursts the vivid folds
by which the soul, attracting body holds :
common to all, of ev'ry sex and age,
for nought escapes thy all-destructive rage.

Not youth itself thy clemency can gain,
vigorous and strong, by thee untimely slain.
In thee the end of nature’s works is known,
in thee all judgment is absolved alone.
No suppliant arts thy dreadful rage control,
no vows revoke the purpose of thy soul.
O blessed power, regard my ardent prayer,