While his name will always be associated with death and the afterlife, and the whole realm of the underworld (which shares his name) with pain, punishment, and perpetual suffering, Hades also came to symbolize riches and opulence. The jewels and precious metals that are mined deep underground and the priceless crops of grain, vegetables, and flowers that germinate beneath the earth are all reminders that from decay and death spring life, abundance, and wealth. The Romans called him PLUTO and words like “plutocrat” and “plutonium” tell of this great opulence and power.
