What was the River Styx?
What was the River Styx? Definition: In classical Greek and Roman mythology the Styx was a river in Hades across which Charon, the Boatman or Ferryman, carried dead souls. The name Styx derives from the Greek word ‘stugein’ which means hate. The literal meaning was therefore Styx, the river of hate. The Styx was the principal river of the underworld, which had to be crossed to pass to the regions of the dead. The Roman Underworld was the classical equivalent to hell and called by the name of Hades, it was the mythological place of departed souls. Hades was ruled by the Roman God Pluto (the name of the equivalent Greek god was Hades) who was also revered as the god of the dead.Overview of the River Styx Mythology The souls or ghosts of the dead were escorted by Mercury (Greek: Hermes), the Messenger of the gods, to the boatman or ferryman, whose name was Charon. Charon would only ferry the souls who could pay him the fare across the Styx. River Styx and Hades Mythology The River Styx wa
