Content Starts Here
Charon
Encyclopaedia Search
Charon
In Greek mythology, the boatman who ferried the dead (shades) over the rivers Acheron and Styx to Hades, the underworld. An obolus (coin) placed on the tongue of the dead paid for their passage.
Charon was the son of Night (Nyx) and her brother Erebus, the god of darkness whose kingdom was the subterranean region.
He was described by the Roman poet Virgil as ragged, filthy, and repulsive, with straggly white hair and beard, and flaming eyes.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
France Flag
Red and blue were taken from the arms of Paris. White was the colour of the Bourbon dynasty. Effective date: 5 March 1848.
>>
Advertorial
Find out how to buy the things you've always wanted and sell the things you don't on ebay.
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
