The Lightning Thief

by

Rick Riordan

Tartarus Term Analysis

Tartarus is a hellish pit in the Underworld where Zeus imprisoned Kronos.
Get the entire The Lightning Thief LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Lightning Thief PDF

Tartarus Term Timeline in The Lightning Thief

The timeline below shows where the term Tartarus appears in The Lightning Thief. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
Identity, Heroism, and Normalcy Theme Icon
Friendship and Belonging Theme Icon
Godliness vs. Humanity Theme Icon
...happened: Zeus and the other gods defeated Kronos, sliced him up, and threw him into Tartarus in the Underworld. Then, Mr. Brunner  sends everyone outside for lunch but calls Percy back.... (full context)
Chapter 8
Family Theme Icon
Godliness vs. Humanity Theme Icon
...but Thalia was also cursed because of Zeus’s broken promise. Hades let monsters out of Tartarus to torment her, and Thalia’s keeper couldn’t keep her safe—at the top of the hill... (full context)
Chapter 19
Friendship and Belonging Theme Icon
...evil voice coming from the pit. Annabeth, terrified, says that this is the entrance to Tartarus. Percy uncaps Riptide and begins to pick out ancient, magic words. (full context)
Chapter 21
Family Theme Icon
Godliness vs. Humanity Theme Icon
...asks if Percy is accusing Hades, but Percy says that whatever it is is in Tartarus and is older than the gods. Poseidon and Zeus confer in ancient Greek, and the... (full context)
Family Theme Icon
...cut Kronos into a thousand pieces in the First War and cast the remains into Tartarus, but Titans can’t die. Kronos is still alive, conscious, and power-hungry. Percy says that he’s... (full context)
Chapter 22
Family Theme Icon
Godliness vs. Humanity Theme Icon
...that a new hero would arrive who could take the bolt and the helm to Tartarus. Percy says that Luke summoned the hellhound. Luke doesn’t deny this—it was intended to convince... (full context)