Thanatos

For the Freudian concept of Thanatos, see: Death instinct

Thanatus is also a spider genus (Philodromidae).

In Greek mythology, Thanatos (θάνατος, "death") was the personification of death (Roman equivalent: Mors), and a minor figure in Greek mythology. Thanatos was a son of Nyx (Night) and Erebus and twin of Hypnos (Sleep). In early mythological accounts, Thanatos was seen as a very powerful figure armed with a sword, with a shaggy beard and a fierce face. His coming was marked with pain and grief. In later eras, as the transition from life to death in Elysium became a more attractive option, Thanatos was seen as a beautiful young man. Many Roman sarcophagi show him as a winged boy, much like Cupid.

According to the mythology, Thanatos could sometimes be outsmarted. In fact, Sisyphus did so twice. When it was time for Sisyphus to die, he succeeded in chaining Thanatos up with his own shackles. While Thanatos was chained, no mortals could die, but eventually Ares released Thanatos and handed Sisyphus over to him, but Sisyphus tricked Thanatos again by convincing Zeus to allow him to return to his wife.

Thanatos is sometimes depicted as a young man carrying a butterfly, wreath or inverted torch in his hands. He sometimes has two wings and a sword attached to his belt.

References to Thanatos in contemporary culture

Thanatos is a common name for characters in various fictional works, including video games, TV shows, animé and comic books. In particular, Thanatos has been referenced in the following works:

Literature

in Thanatopsis, a 19th century American poem by William Cullen Bryant
In The Thanatos Syndrome, a novel by Walker Percy
In Fire From Heaven, a novel by Mary Renault
In Eternal Champions as the god of death until 1692
In the book On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony, he is the main character. He is however only referred to as Thanatos several times by Mother Nature. In the other books of the series he appears as a supporting character and is referred to as Thanatos.
In the book Donnerjack by Roger Zelazny and Jane Lindskold, he is the personification of Death. Master of Deep Fields.
In the 'Gap Cycle' of books by Stephen Donaldson, it is a fortified pirate asteroid.
In Robert Ludlum's The Lazarus Vendetta by Patrick Larkin, Thanatos is the name of the unmanned flying machines that transport Lazarus' deadly nanophages.
In Thomas Pynchons's Vineland the Thanatoids live life as though they were dead.

Music

In a Brazilian song named "Perfeição" (Perfection) by a Pop-Rock band named "Legião Urbana" (Urban Legion). The verse is "... vamos celebrar, Eros e Tanatos, Perséfone e Hades... " ("...let's celebrate Eros and Thanatos, Persephone and Hades...")
In the song I Hate You All by Sakurai Atsushi, translated: I'm Eros, I'm Thanatos, I created sexual desire, I hate you all!
In the song Thanatos by Buck-Tick
In the song Abraxas by Therion "Eros And Thanatos Are branches from the same old tree"
In the album Thanatron by Dane & the Death Machine
In the Portuguese metal band ThanatoSchizo.
In the song Thanatos by Scottish punk/new wave band The Skids from their album Days in Europa

Games

In the pen and paper roleplaying game, Dungeons and Dragons, as a location deep in the lower planes.
In the MechWarrior universe, as a BattleMech called Thanatos.
In the video game Wild Arms 2, the spell Thanatos X is named after Thanatos.
In the video game Chaos Legion, as an allied creature (a Legion).
In the video game Silent Hill 2, featuring a song called "Angel's Thanatos", amongst other things.
In the video game Soul Calibur II, Thanatos is the legendary axe wielded by Astoroth.
In the video game Lost Kingdoms II as a creature of the same name, consisting of three skull heads and dealing phenomenal damage.
In the video game Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, Thanatos is an island rife with savages and wild beasts where no civilization exists.
In the video game Disciples II, Thanatos is a monster that the Undead Horde can summoon
In the video game Panel de Pon, the penultimate boss is called Sanatos, which is something of a mistranslation of Thanatos.
In the video game Seiken Densetsu 2 aka Secret of Mana, Thanatos is one of the main villains of the game, the bodyguard of Emperor Vandole who has his agenda.
In the video game Final Fantasy X, the Thanatos Spear is a weapon that is used by the character, Kimahri.
In the video game Final Fantasy X-2, two enemies, called "Aeshma" and "Aka Manah", have an attack called "Emblem of Thanatos."
In the video game Resident Evil: Outbreak, the most powerful enemy in the game is named Thanatos.
In the video game Dragon Quest VIII, there exists a powerful, cursed shield called "Thanatos' Shield"
In the video game The Lost Age, there is a medium level weapon known as the "Thanatos Mace" which has as unleash featuring the grim reaper.
In the video game Battle Clash, the main villain is named Thanatos
In the video game Falcon's Revenge, an enemy robot is named Thanatos
In the video game Ragnarok Online, there is a Thanatos Tower, and a monster named Thanatos.
In the video game EVE Online, the Thanatos is one of the designs in the 'Carrier' class of capital ship.
In the video game Shadow Hearts:covenant Thanatos is an attack performed by one of Yuri's Fusions.
In the video game Monster Rancher 2, Thanatos is a powerful Joker monster which appears in S class tournaments.
The MMORPG MapleStory has a monster called Thanatos.

Other

In the webcomic Bigger Than Cheeses, as a character.
In the Marvel Comics universe, as the supervillain Thanos.
In the DC Comics universe, as the supervillain Thanatos, an otherdimensional villain who repeatedly menaced Aquaman in his dreams.
In the webcomic Gods of Arr-Kelaan, as a character.
In the series T*Witches, as a villain.
The name/concept also appears in an episode of Dead Like Me (Season 2).
In the radio station WBGU-FM, Thanatos is a creepy old man who dates the teenagers of the station
The villain in the Hulk Hogan classic, Mr. Nanny.
In the popular anime Saint Seiya, as a villain under the legion of Hades minions.
The soundtrack of the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion's includes several versions of a song titled "Thanatos."
In the television show Gargoyles, as the last name of the main villain for the first few seasons (David Xanatos).
In the cartoon Aeon Flux, there is an episode titled "Thanatophobia."
In the "Richard Beeminster" series of cartoons, there is an episode titled "Thanatos"
In the Star Wars Jedi Apprentice books, a character is named Xanatos.

As a psychoanalytic term

Thanatos = The drive to die.
Eros = The drive to live.