Difference between revisions of "Styx"
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[[Image:Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_006.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Virgil are ferried across the River [[Styx]] ([[Inferno]], Canto VIII) (Illustration by [[Eugene Delacroix]]).]] | [[Image:Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_006.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Virgil are ferried across the River [[Styx]] ([[Inferno]], Canto VIII) (Illustration by [[Eugene Delacroix]]).]] | ||
| − | '''Styx''' (from the Greek verb signifying “to abhor”) in [[Greek mythology]] was one of the principal [[river]]s of the [[underworld]], where it flowed sluggishly round seven times; and is properly the river of death, which all must cross to enter the unseen world, and of which, in the [[Greek mythology]], [[Charon (mythology)]] was the [[ferryman]] (although in some accounts, it is the river [[Acheron]] which must be crossed to enter [[Hades]]). In their solemn engagements it was by this [[river]] the gods took | + | '''Styx''' (from the Greek verb signifying “to abhor”) in [[Greek mythology]] was one of the principal [[river]]s of the [[underworld]], where it flowed sluggishly round seven times; and is properly the river of death, which all must cross to enter the unseen world, and of which, in the [[Greek mythology]], [[Charon (mythology)]] was the [[ferryman]] (although in some accounts, it is the river [[Acheron]] which must be crossed to enter [[Hades]]). In their solemn engagements it was by this [[river]] the gods took their oaths to signify that they would forego their godhood if they swore falsely. The Styx was a branch of the Great Ocean which girds the universe.<ref>{{Nuttall|Styx}}</ref> |
In [[Dante's Inferno]], the Styx is a marsh which forms the fifth circle of [[Hell]], where the [[sin]] of [[anger]] is punished. [[Dante]] answers the question of which river must be crossed to enter Hell by using both Styx and Acheron: [[Charon]] ferries souls across Acheron to reach Hell, while the [[Greek]] king Phlegyas ferries Dante and [[Virgil]] across Styx to reach lower Hell. | In [[Dante's Inferno]], the Styx is a marsh which forms the fifth circle of [[Hell]], where the [[sin]] of [[anger]] is punished. [[Dante]] answers the question of which river must be crossed to enter Hell by using both Styx and Acheron: [[Charon]] ferries souls across Acheron to reach Hell, while the [[Greek]] king Phlegyas ferries Dante and [[Virgil]] across Styx to reach lower Hell. | ||
Revision as of 13:24, June 29, 2009
Styx (from the Greek verb signifying “to abhor”) in Greek mythology was one of the principal rivers of the underworld, where it flowed sluggishly round seven times; and is properly the river of death, which all must cross to enter the unseen world, and of which, in the Greek mythology, Charon (mythology) was the ferryman (although in some accounts, it is the river Acheron which must be crossed to enter Hades). In their solemn engagements it was by this river the gods took their oaths to signify that they would forego their godhood if they swore falsely. The Styx was a branch of the Great Ocean which girds the universe.[1]
In Dante's Inferno, the Styx is a marsh which forms the fifth circle of Hell, where the sin of anger is punished. Dante answers the question of which river must be crossed to enter Hell by using both Styx and Acheron: Charon ferries souls across Acheron to reach Hell, while the Greek king Phlegyas ferries Dante and Virgil across Styx to reach lower Hell.
References
- ↑ Nuttall Encyclopedia of General Knowledge, article on Styx originally published in 1907 written by Reverend James Wood