Miscellaneous Myths: Sisyphus Captures Death

Ever wonder where the whole notion of capturing death even came from? It's not exactly widespread, but it sure seems to show up a lot more than one might expect. Well, worry no longer! Turns out it's all because the ancient king Sisyphus had a fantastic (terrible) idea that worked out great (badly) for everyone involved.

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[SenMysrana]

I love the version where Sisyphus doesn't even *have* to push the boulder. Only, he's been told that successfully getting the boulder to the top will get him out of Hades... and so he can't stop trying.

[talleywa]

I love how Hades is just sorta cynically leering at Sisyphus in spite of Persephone and Thanatos's rage like "I don't even have to be mad, these two can do it for me."

[Wolfeson]

Finally, the answer to why the gods never just kill anyone in these myths! The one time they try, it goes horribly, horribly wrong.

[arcanelore]

Hades looks so sad and worried when Thanatos is missing. It's cute.

[maximaldinotrap]

"He lives a long life until he dies of old age many years later whereupon he finds himself point blank on a pissed off Persephone, a Grumpy Thanatos, and a Hades approximately 110% done with his nonsense"

That was the best part.

You know you screwed up if not one, not two, but three pissed gods are waiting for you in the afterlife and one of them happens to be Persephone.

[bambiitree]

"What are you knuckleheads DOING? Getting stabbed means you're OUT"
Ares or my fencing coach?

[thacc]

Hades in media: edgy god
Hades irl: gets worried when death gets trapped in a box

[narararamammily]

Ares: PEOPLE DIE WHEN THEY ARE KILLED!!!! HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED THAT FROM SCHOO!??

[asbestosfish_]

_”It's like we stole fire from the gods, or something.”_
_”In most of those stories the mortals get away with it.”_
_”Yeah, until they_ die, _and they find out why the gods can afford to be patient.”_

[garliccatastrophe]

*a pissed-off persephone, a grumpy thanatos, and a hades approximately 110% D O N E with his nonsense*

you are screwed. i also laughed at how this was phrased.

[jouneymanwizard]

Dude, you pissed of Thanatos, Hades, AND Persephone. How is this going to end well for you?

[akumuwabara]

Ok. How dare Sisyphus take advantage of Persephone's caring nature?

[moneysins]

Thanatos: “how dare you imprison me”
Persephone: “how dare you lie to me”
Hades: “how dare you make me do extra paperwork”

[firapolemos]

I feel if Hades had been to one to get captured, as stated in that other version, then Persephone would've NEVER let Sisyphus go.
No one messes with her husband.

[kryptonavenger]

I like how when Persephone looks pissed, she actually looks more terrifying than Hades and Thanatos.

[lukeburky]

Best part is when Ares is acting like a coach by yelling "you get stabbed, you're OUT!"

[emmawollam]

Oh geez, who’s gonna break it to Zagreus that the nice man with the boulder actually shoved his boyfriend Thanatos in a trunk to avoid dying for murder crimes??

[Seadragon]

I can only imagine how that scene where the three gods stared down Sisyphus after his death...

Hades: "As your punishment for trapping my good friend over there..." *Points to Thanatos* "...You will have to push this very heavy boulder up this hill"
Sisyphus: "That's it? This should be easy"

*Sisyphus pushes the boulder halfway when Persephone chimes in*

Persehpone: "Um, honey... you did tell him that the boulder will just roll back down after reaching the top, right?"
Hades: "Nope. I want him to figure it out the hard way. Plus it's no fun if I tell him that."
Thanatos: "My idea was better though"
Hades: "For the last time, Thanatos... we do not make mortals into chew toys for Spot!"

[alexandriacollins]

I heard that Hermes, as the God of Cunning, was sent to retrieve Sisyphus, being that Hermes was 'untrickable'. And then, Hermes simply grabs him by the ankle and drags him down to the Underworld; one of Hermes' roles is that of a Psychopomp.

[punprincess]

I can just imagine Hades, Persephone and Thanatos discussing Sisyphus's punishment, Hades then says something like. "He made my wife look foolish so now he will look foolish." And Persephone is so touched, she snuggles up to Hades then Thanatos turns to the camera office style looking annoyed being the third wheel to the two lovebirds.