Pluto (Dis Pater)
God of the Underworld, Death & Hidden Wealth
Pluto (also called Dis Pater or Orcus) is the Roman god of the underworld and ruler of the dead. Brother of Jupiter and Neptune, he received the realm of death in the division of the cosmos. Stern, unyielding, and just, Pluto maintains order among the dead and prevents escape from his kingdom. As god of underground wealth (Pluto = "wealth"), he also controls precious metals and gems hidden beneath the earth.
Attributes & Domains
Domains: Underworld, death, shades of the dead, underground mineral wealth
Symbols: Cerberus (three-headed dog), key (to underworld gates), cypress tree, cornucopia (wealth)
Sacred Animals: Screech owl, black ram, crow, serpent
Sacred Plants: Cypress, narcissus, asphodel
Colors: Black, dark purple
Mythology: Abduction of Proserpina
Pluto abducted Proserpina (daughter of Ceres) while she gathered flowers, dragging her to the underworld to be his queen. Ceres's grief caused crops to fail until Jupiter negotiated a compromise: Proserpina would spend half the year in the underworld and half on earth. This myth explains the seasons and established Proserpina as Queen of the Dead alongside Pluto.
Worship & Attitudes
Romans feared naming Pluto directly, using euphemisms like "Dis Pater" (Rich Father) or "Orcus." Few temples existed above ground—worship occurred in underground chambers or at cave entrances. Offerings were made at night, with black animals sacrificed and blood poured into pits. Romans struck the earth with their hands while invoking Pluto, calling him to witness oaths concerning death and the underworld.
Dual Nature:
- Lord of Death: Inexorable, stern ruler of the dead—no mercy, no exceptions
- God of Wealth: Controller of underground riches—mines, gems, precious metals
🎭 Archetypal Patterns
This deity embodies the following universal archetypes found across world mythologies:
📊 View in Cross-Reference MatrixCross-Cultural Parallels
Compare underworld rulers across world traditions.