Judges of the Dead
Domains:
Chthonian - Demigods
Category:
5E Alignment:
5E Domains:
5E Symbol:
Greek Name | Transliteration | Latin Spelling | Translation |
Αιακος | Aiakos | Aeacus | Lamentation |
Μινως | Minôs | Minos | |
Ραδαμανθυς | Rhadamanthys | Rhadamanthus |
RHADAMANTHYS, MINOS and AIAKOS (Aeacus) were the judges of the dead, three demi-god ministers of Haides. They were originally mortal men, sons of the god Zeus, who were granted their station in death as a reward for establishing law and order on earth.
Individually, Aiakos was guardian of the keys of Haides and judge of the men of Europe, Rhadamanthys the lord of Elysion (Elysium) and judge of the men of Asia, and Minos the judge of the third and final vote. According to some Triptolemos was a fourth judge who presided over the souls of Initiates of the Mysteries.
The name Aiakos was derived from the Greek words aiaktos and aiazô, "wailing" and "lamentation." The etymology of the other names is obscure.
The mortal lives of the three judges is not detailed on this page only their role in the afterlife.