2014+SH+P6++The+Acheron+River

= The Acheron River =

Aim - Racquel James



Based on many different legends of greek mythology, the Acheron River serves different perceptions of one purpose. As expressed in this quote “To get into the underworld, and to be subsequently judged, the departed needed to be ferried across the river by Charon, the demon ferryman”(Harry 1) and “Charon the boatman ferries the souls of the dead (those that can pay him, anyway) across the Acheron” (Minster 1) the purpose of this river is quite obvious. Through myths and legends, the Acheron river is assumed to be one out of 5 rivers in the underworld. Some myths communicate that the Acheron encircles Hades lair, while others believe that it is the first of a chain of rivers that eventually leads to Hades. Either way, when a person dies, they are taken to the underworld in which they can either pay the ferryman or walk among the shores for eternity dealing with Cerberus. Some myths indicate that the river separates the souls of whom were going to hell and those who will walk aimlessly in purgatory. Through the oldest greek tales, the Acheron river operated as a foundation to many greek underworld related stories. To this day, the Acheron river is a very important symbol in allowing people to understand the thoughts and feelings towards death and afterlife (in the greek’s perception).

Audience - Jenna Pinkney

In Greek mythology, the Acheron River is one of the five Underworld rivers. The myth of the Acheron River was geared towards two audiences. The primary audience is the dead riding on the river. As shown in the following quote, “To get into the underworld, and to be subsequently judged, the departed needed to be ferried across the river by Charon, the demon ferryman” (Harry 1) the river was used as a demoinc experience for the dead. The Acherion was used as the route to everlasting misery, making those riding terrified and dreading the journey. The secondary audience to the Acheron River myth is the Greek people sharing and listening to the story. Journalist Rachel Brooker writes, “ Acheron is also the name of a river in modern Greece, still reputed to give access to Hades” (2). Even today the myth of the river is still apart of their culture. The myth of the Acheron River was and still is used to describe the harmful events of departing to the Underworld. Both audiences are being persuaded by the evils of the river into doing good in the world to prevent the path down to the Underworld.

Historical - Skylar Duhon



The Acheron River was a very common place talked about in Greek Mythology. An article states,“In Greek mythology Acheron was one of the five rivers of the underworld; the river of woe that encircled Hades’ domain” (Harry 1). This river was named after the Greek god Acheron. According to myths, every soul that wants to get to Hades has to travel down the Acheron river. N.S. Gills says,” In Greek mythology, the Acheron is one of the five Underworld rivers and is sometimes called a lake. The Acheron is the River of Woe. The ferryman Charon was at one time thought to ferry the dead across the Acheron, which separated the lower world from the upper” (1). This river is important in the fact that the souls were taken from the world to the underworld. This river is the first transporter that the souls take on their journey to Hades and the underworld. This is the first step of a souls journey from their old life to their new life after death.

Cultural - Emily Hanzlick



Throughout history, myths have always had a great impact on the world’s many cultures. Harry writes, “The Underworld of ancient Greece served to give the living a purpose to their lives, as well as explaining elements of the world in which they lived” (1). Greek myths have affected modern day culture in every aspect, from language to art to even company names. The myths connected to the river Acheron though, have especially changed the way modern culture and society views death and the afterlife. Those myths acted as a religion to give the greeks a goal in their lives to strive for, so that they could have the best afterlife, Elysium. Today, the purpose of religion is the same; give humans a purpose to do good in their lives. The modern culture today is to be selfish and work for one’s own personal gain, but mythology changes cultural values from not only wanting a happy life, but a happy afterlife too. There is cultural pressures to work hard and a personal inclination to work hard for one’s own good, so people take myths and religion seriously, and work hard to give themselves the best.

Works Cited Brooker, Rachel. "Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Acheron." Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Acheron. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2014. Gill, N. S. "Do You Know All 5 of the Greek Underworld Rivers?" About.com Ancient/Classical History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2014. Harry, Tim. "Acheron and the Underworld." Life Paths 360. RR Donnelley, 6 Nov. 2012. Web.27 Aug. 2014 Harry, Tim. "The Underworld in Greek Mythology." By Tim Harry. Life Paths 360, 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 27 Aug. 2014. Minster, Christopher. "The Rivers of the Greek Underworld." Suite. N.p., 29 Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Aug. 2014.