ACHERON (river in Thesprotia)
River of northwest Greece
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Thesprotia
- Where
- 39.24° N, 20.48° E
An Oracle of the Dead is situated on the river Acheron. Herodotus 5.92G.2 A boat with a ferryman at the oars is situated on the river. Pausanias 10.28.1 White poplar trees grew along the banks of the river. Pausanias 5.14.2
Described in the sources
The river Acheron is located in the region of Thesprotia, near the town of Cichyrus. Herodotus 5.92G.2 +4 The Acheron is a river located near the dark abode of Hades, where Hades leads the living to its shore. Euripides, Alcestis 435-444 +2 A lake named Acherusia is situated near the river. Pausanias 1.17.5 +1 The river belches forth noisome mud. Statius, Thebaid 4.473-497 ¶3 The river flows near the town of Pylus. Strabo 8.3.15 The Thyamus river flows near the Acheron. Strabo 7.7.5 Its name is derived from its connection to Hades. Strabo 8.3.15 The lord of this river is referred to as a groom. Sophocles, Antigone 806-816 Later Nisaean Megarians named the river Soonautes. Argonautica 2 ¶51 Fish in the river appear so dim they look like shadows. Pausanias 10.28.1
Gods and worship
It receives several other rivers into its flow. Strabo 7.7.5 The Acheron is described as a raging stream that cannot be recrossed. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 3 ¶6
Stories and history
The Acheron is described as having a loud roar and noisome jaws. Aeneid 7.540 +1 A hollow ravine brings the river down from above to the headland. Argonautica 2 ¶25 +1 The river makes the water of the gulf fresh. Strabo 7.7.5 The river empties its waters into the Alpheius river. Strabo 8.3.15 Locals consider the bridge on the river to be a wonder. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.1 ¶2 The river features a bridge that is one thousand feet long. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.1 ¶2 The river saved the Nisaean Megarians' ships during a violent tempest. Argonautica 2 ¶51 Homer likely used this river's name for a river in the underworld after seeing it. Pausanias 1.17.5 Charon ferries the dead across the Acheron in a black boat, guiding his craft with a pole. Aeneid 6.295 Charon selects which souls are allowed to cross the Acheron and pushes away those who are not permitted. Aeneid 6.295
Myths set at Acheron
- The Descent of Theseus and Peirithous. hook: "Theseus and Peirithous find Charon's boat unmoored on the bank of the Acheron.", "goal": "", "outcome": "Charon carries the two royal souls across the Phlegethon river."} Pausanias 10.28.2 +2 Charon