Pluto was the son of Saturn, and brother to Jupiter and Neptune. He was not initially the God of the Under World, as he was originally the God of Wealth, as in the giver of gold, silver and other gems from underneath the ground. It was considered he owned all the riches in the Earth, and controlled its underground regions of fire and fury. It was this connection with the underground which led him to become the God of the Under World. From this association, he also became known over time as the Judge of the Dead, since bodies were buried in the Earth.

Pluto's kingdom (also referred to as Hades) lies deep under the Earth, and is believed to be notoriously dangerous for men to venture into. It was understood that once you had entered his realm of darkness, making it out alive presented an even worse predicament. It was believed that the gates to his world were guarded by Pluto's loyal watchdog, the three headed and ferocious Cerberus. He lived with his wife Proserpina, whom he abducted from the upper world and took to his underground kingdom forever.

The Greeks knew of him as Hades, and over time, his connotation with the Lower World brought about many of its spiritual representations. Pluto was never greatly popular or much worshipped as a God. Out of all the Gods, Pluto has few cultural reminders of his presence. Not one temple was built to commemorate his ancient role as a God. When he was portrayed however, he was seen to hold the key to the underworld with his faithful watchdog, Cerberus, at his side. Other versions associated him with a pick axe, or with his helmet of invisibility, which was given to him by the Cyclopes before joining the Olympian Gods in the battle with the Titans. He held the plants of Cypress and Narcissus in other versions, which he considered as sacred.

Pluto was considered a true enemy of mankind and life. His rule was severe, and his stance in his judgments held firm. Begging for his forgiveness was not an option, more a sign of weakness in his eyes. Men were so frightened of him, they were cautious about even speaking his name in case it drew his attention. Sacrificing a black sheep was sometimes a ceremony in his honor as an attempt to win his approval. His was a harsh and brutal reign, but only if your actions led you to him. He may have been firm, but he was also fair. Even though he was depicted in such a dark manner, Pluto was not all doom and gloom. The Romans still worshipped his ability to deliver riches from the Earth after all.