Charon
was a spectral figure who was the son of Erebus and Nox. Charon ferried
souls across the river 
Styx (also called
Acheron). When the ancient Greeks
bury a body, they place an obolus (Greek coin) under the eyelids or
tongue as payment to Charon for ferrying the soul guided to him by Hermes
into the underworld. Charon is not well-disposed to the living. When
Heracles was made to bring Cerberus up to the world of the living as one
of the labors, he had to use all of his intimidation powers to make Charon
ferry him across the river. Some people believe that Charon will only
accept bodies that are buried or burned with certain rights. |
|
Charon Facts
|
| God
of |
ferryman
|
| Mother |
Nox
|
| Father |
Erebus |
| Wife |
none |
| Children |
none |
| Siblings |
none |
| Roman
Name |
none |
|
