 1- His origin.  2- Why this name?  3- Which are his function?  4- In the legend.  5- The Styx today…

At the beginning, it was a river in ancient Greece which took its source in Arcadie. At the exit of the rock, the Styx became a violent cascade of frozen water, which fell into the barren landscape. From this point of view, we begin to believe in its evil powers.

 Styx was a nymph, daughter of Téthys and Ocean, and mother of four children: Zélos (the Zeal), Cratos (the Power), Bia (the Force) and Nike (the Victory). It is she who ran the first, with her children, when Zeus asked for the assistance of immortal in the war against the Titans (giant divinities which preceded the Gods of the Olympus).  To reward her, the Master of the Olympus promoted her to a divinity and established a crowned link with the gods: the most important sorrows were inflicted on the people who violated the oaths made in her name, and when Zeus itself swore by it, his decision was irrevocable.

 There is the Empire of Deaths in Hell. Where all the mortals go when they leave the Earth and they become Shades. The main entrance of the Hell is in a wood, close to the sea. Guided by Hermès (the brother of Zeus), the Shades arrive in the river “Styx”, which surrounds the Hell in an eternal night and in a black water.

 Charon, the guide, waits for the Shades. In his old boat, it makes them pass into an other side…

 When they arrive, the Shades face Cerbere, the monstrous dog with three heads. He devours at once those who try to flee!

 There is also Erinyes with the hair of snakes and the tears of blood, who tortures the Shades who are taking by the Styx.

 Hadès expects them, on his throne. It is necessary to pass in front of him, the Lord of the Hells, and in front of his wife, Perséphone. On her right, Hécate the old woman is sittly, she is the goddess of the magicians, the moon and the demons.

 At the crossroads of three roads, they arrive in front of the three judges of the Hell: Minos, Éaque and Rhadamante. It’s them who decide of the fate of each shade. The first road leads to the Asphodeles who have nothing to say, they are less fortunate and less interesting. With the Asphodeles, the Shades wander without any goal for eternity.  The second road leads to the Champs Elysées. Only some heroes reach that point. The sun is always shining, there is no night because the Shades don’t need to sleep. Here, we can return to the earth.  The third road leads to the Tartare, place of the eternal damnation. All the people who defied the gods are there Many heroes of the mythology are there : Prométhée, Sisyphe, Ixion, Tantale, les Danaïdes, …

The legend says that Achille, the mythical hero of the War of Troy, was soaked at his birth in Styx by his mother, Thétis. This made him invincible, except for his heel, by which she held him. It is also close to his edges, it is said, that Isis buries the members of her husband, Osiris.

 This idea that the hearts of malicious are plunged in lakes is also taught by the Buddhists; and some populations of Africa, America and Oceania believe that their enemies and the perverts will live, after their death, in the distant and repugnant lakes, where they are intended to endure thousands of torments… 