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Charon (Χαρων)

Translation: Fierce Brightness

Ferryman of the Dead

Most Terrifying Monster in All of Greek Mythology

Charon is a child of Nyx and Erebus, he works as a gatekeeper to the Underworld and Tartarus, as he rows the dead across the waters, which he does at the payment of one coin per passenger, which is usually buried in the mouth of the dead. Like today's death, he is depicted as a man in a hooded cloak, but instead of a scythe, an ore for his rowboat. He is seen by many as the most terrifying creature to meet in all of Greece, as he was so often referred to as a demon, something that could never be beaten, as he was one of the strongest and smartest beings to ever exist, even though he lived out a life of simple rowing. Seeing Charon was also terrifying because it meant that you were dead, and if you didn't have a coin, you would be left to the tiny island of insanity, forever because there was no swimming across the waters and definitely no sneaking onto the boat. This was an eternal torment for many because most of Greece were of poor families who didn't have a coin to spare for their dead.


Family Ties; Charon's mother and father were Nyx and Erebus. He had many siblings thanks to them, such as Aether, Hemera, Moros, Ker, Thanatos, Hypnos, The Oneiroi, Momus, Geras, Oizys, Nemesis, Philotes, Apate, Eris, The Moirai, The Keres, and The Hesperides. He has no children, nor interactions with any of his siblings, although the Charon did have some respect for his Boss, Hades.


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