I am strong, pitiless in the matters of the heart. My beloved wife is that of Persephone, the most noblest of Zeus’ daughter. I rule the underworld, the dead if you will, which is hidden in the earth. It is the kingdom of the dead. I am a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. The Erinnyes are welcomed guests. I am exceedingly disinclined to allow any of my subjects to leave. Cerberus will see to that.

For most, life in the underworld is not particularly unpleasant. It is rather like a miserable dream, full of shadows, without sunlight or hope. A joyless place where the dead slowly fade into nothingness, surrounded by Acheron (the river of woe where Charon will ferry one across if you possess the correct fare), Cocytus (the river of lamentation), Phlegethon (the river of fire), Styx (the river of unbreakable oath by which the gods swear) and Lethe (the river of forgetfulness).

But not all my subjects are released to the Elysian Fields, that discretion is left to my three judges Rhadamanthus, Minos I, and Aeacus. Most cases are treated in their special ways, such as Sisyphus and Tantalus. Or even those of Heraclues, or Peirithous thinking he could steal away Persephone. I had enough problems with her mother Demeter, although my number of souls did greatly jump when she mourned the loss of her daughter.

Mortals fear to utter my name. My name is Hades.

http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/kimbrough/greekgods/hades2.html
http://www.mythweb.com/find/index.html
http://www.angelfire.com/retro/haidou/8.html