Who is Charon? Greek mythological Ferryman to hell behind Europe’s deadly heatwave
The Cerberus heatwave is currently sweeping across Europe with temperatures nearing a scorching 50°C across the continent.
Countries across Europe have been experiencing sweltering temperatures, with the worst of the heat expected to be concentrated on the islands of Italy with forecasts predicting temperatures may reach up to 47°C later today.
Elsewhere, wildfires in Greece, the Canary Islands, and Switzerland have seen firefighters called in their hundreds and tourists evacuated.
Cerberus – named after Hades’ three-headed dog in Greek mythology – will see temperatures rise to above 45°C in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey by the end of Friday (July 21.)
However, a second heatwave – Charon – is set to push temperatures back up to 43°C in Rome and as high as 47°C in Sardinia.
With another Greek-themed heatwave on the way, many are wondering exactly where the name Charon comes from in mythology. Here’s what you need to know.
Who was Charon in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, Charon, the son of Styx and Erebus, is the ferryman of Hades who transports souls to the underworld.
He carries the souls of those who have been given their funeral rites across the rivers that separate the worlds of the living and the dead – Styx and Acheron.
In payment, Charon received the coin that was placed in the mouth of the deceased. Archaeological digs have found that in some real-life burials, coins were placed in or on the mouth of the deceased or next to their cremation urn.
According to Aeneid, the epic poem by Virgil, those who could not pay the fee or did not receive funeral rites were forced to wander the shores near the river Styx for 100 years.
Charon also features in Greek mythology in the story of catabasis, a journey that some mortals, heroes, and demigods embark on where they went to the underworld and returned from it as living beings.
In this instance, some acquired immortality through payment or somehow persuading the inhabitants of the underworld. In Aeneid, Aeneas gives Charon the Golden Bough to return to the world of the living.
Similarly, Hercules and Orpheus are also said to have been allowed to descend to the underworld and return with Charon’s permission.
Charon in popular culture
An oncoming storm is not the first time Charon has come to public prominence.
The Greek mythological figure is featured in both Marvel and DC comics as a member of the Greek Gods.
He is also a playable god in SMITE where is is seen as an anti-hero guardian god.
In the game, he helps Maui and Anubis find their way home from the Underworld following their loss to Surtr’s army.
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