What ferryman transported souls across the River Styx?

What ferryman transported souls across the River Styx? Charon transported the dead across the underworld’s rivers.

In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman of Hades. He carries souls who have received proper funeral rites, usually across the Styx or, in many earlier accounts, the Acheron. Hermes commonly guides the newly dead to the riverbank before Charon takes them onward.

The fare was traditionally a small coin called Charon’s obol, placed with the deceased at burial. Those without proper rites or payment could be left waiting at the shore. Ancient Greek art often shows Charon as a rough, bearded boatman, while later Roman and medieval works made him more frightening.

The Styx association is familiar, but the Acheron is often the river named in early Greek sources. The judges Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus are also commonly confused with Charon: they judge the dead, whereas Charon transports them. Charon’s name later inspired the name of Pluto’s largest moon.