Who was Tartarus in Greek Mythology? Powers, Symbols and Myths

Not as widely known as the Olympian gods like Zeus or Athena, Tartarus is a fascinating figure tied to the underworld, punishment, and the primordial chaos that existed before the world as we know it. While most people are familiar with Hades as the ruler of the dead, Tartarus is an even deeper concept—one that represents a place, a force, and a god.

Jump to:

In Greek mythology, Tartarus is both a god and a place. As a location, it is the deepest, darkest part of the underworld, a prison where the wicked and the defeated gods are sent for eternal punishment. It’s even more terrifying and foreboding than Hades' domain, reserved for the most severe cases. As a primordial deity, Tartarus is one of the first beings to emerge from the void of chaos, often described as a force of pure darkness.

It’s where the Titans, such as Kronos, were imprisoned after being defeated by Zeus and the Olympians. Unlike the Elysian Fields, where the virtuous find eternal peace, Tartarus is a place of despair and torment, similar to how some cultures view hell.

Tartarus isn't just a place but also an ancient, primordial god in Greek mythology. He personifies the abyss itself, representing an ancient force that existed before most other gods. Tartarus is considered one of the primordial deities, like Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky), forming part of the universe's very foundation.

As a god, Tartarus is rarely depicted in myths as having personal adventures or relationships like the Olympian gods. Instead, he is more of a cosmic entity—an essential but distant figure who represents the terrifying power of the underworld. His power is linked with his role as a prison for the damned, ensuring they never escape.

Many stories in Greek mythology refer to Tartarus as the place of final punishment for those who defy the gods or commit terrible crimes. The most famous tale involving Tartarus is the imprisonment of the Titans. 

After the Titans, led by Kronos, were overthrown by Zeus and the Olympians in a battle known as the Titanomachy, they were cast into Tartarus, where they would remain for eternity. Zeus himself is said to have hurled them into this dark abyss, where their suffering would never cease.

Another well-known myth involving Tartarus is the punishment of Sisyphus, a mortal who was condemned to endlessly roll a boulder uphill, only for it to roll back down every time he neared the top. Similarly, Tantalus, who attempted to deceive the gods, was sentenced to eternal thirst and hunger in Tartarus. These myths are reminders of the severe consequences of defying divine law.

Tartarus, as both a god and a place, wields immense power in Greek mythology. His primary power is his role as the ultimate jailer, holding even the mightiest of beings captive for eternity. Unlike Hades, who governs the souls of the dead, Tartarus controls the pit where the most wicked or defeated entities are imprisoned. No mortal, immortal, or god can escape the clutches of Tartarus once they’ve been sentenced there.

While there are no myths detailing Tartarus’s physical powers as a god, his influence is cosmic in nature. He is the force that binds the deepest layers of the underworld, ensuring that order is maintained by imprisoning those who challenge the divine hierarchy. The very existence of Tartarus as a primordial deity suggests his authority over the dark, chaotic forces of the universe.

While many gods in Greek mythology have clear symbols, Tartarus is less concrete in this regard. Instead of physical symbols, Tartarus is often symbolised by darkness, chaos, and the pit of eternal punishment. If you imagine the swirling void of blackness, chains, and inescapable depths, you’re visualising Tartarus.

Mount Tartarus is occasionally referenced as a mythological concept, symbolising the unreachable and impenetrable depths where the Titans were held. The idea of a "mountain" of imprisonment reinforces the impossibility of escape from Tartarus.

Some interpretations associate Tartarus with chains or dark flames, representing eternal punishment. But overall, Tartarus is more of an abstract symbol, embodying the ultimate abyss of despair.

Tartarus is often linked with Gaia, the personification of Earth. In some myths, they are said to have a child together, Typhon, a monstrous creature who was considered one of the greatest threats to the gods of Olympus. Typhon is known for his battle against Zeus, which resulted in his defeat and subsequent imprisonment—where else but in Tartarus?

Although Tartarus doesn’t play a major role in many myths as a personified being, his union with Gaia connects him to the ancient forces of nature and chaos. The child they bore, Typhon, symbolises their combined power, which threatens even the mightiest gods.

Unlike the Olympian gods, who were actively worshipped with temples and sacrifices, Tartarus didn’t have a formal cult following. As an abstract force more than a personified deity, he wasn’t worshipped in the traditional sense. However, his presence looms large in the myths and legends as a reminder of divine punishment and the consequences of cosmic rebellion.

Tartarus’s legacy lives on through the stories of the Titans’ imprisonment, the punishment of figures like Sisyphus and Tantalus, and his portrayal as the most feared place in the afterlife. His significance is less about being worshipped and more about embodying the ultimate price for defying the gods.

In Roman mythology, Tartarus retains the same name. The Romans adopted much of Greek mythology, including Tartarus, as both a place of eternal punishment and a primordial force.

Kronos was imprisoned in Tartarus after being defeated by Zeus and the Olympian gods in the Titanomachy. Kronos and his fellow Titans were thrown into the abyss, where they were condemned to spend eternity as punishment for their rebellion against the new rulers of the cosmos.

While Tartarus is a primordial deity, he is rarely personified in myths or depicted as interacting with other gods and mortals like Zeus or Athena. Tartarus is more often described as a force or place, and while he fathered Typhon with Gaia, there are no extensive stories about him as a character.

In Greek mythology, Tartarus is typically a place reserved for immortal beings, such as gods and Titans, rather than mortals. However, there are tales of mortals being condemned to Tartarus for particularly egregious crimes, like Sisyphus and Tantalus, both of whom suffered eternal punishments there.

Tartarus’s story addresses universal themes of power and revenge. If you’d like to learn more about these myths and explore the characters, symbols, and stories that have shaped Western culture, consider enrolling in the Greek Mythology Diploma Course with Centre of Excellence. For a limited time, you can access the course at a discounted price of £29!