A boatman in ancient Greek mythology who ferries souls of the dead across the River Styx; another name for Charon.
From Greek Charon (Χάρων), the mythological ferryman. The plural or variant form adds the -tas suffix. The name may derive from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning 'fierce' or 'sharp,' reflecting his stern role as a boundary guardian between the living and dead.
Charon is one of the oldest characters in Western literature—so old that ancient Greeks paid coins (called obols) to place in dead people's mouths for his ferry fare! This is why he became the template for all grim reapers and death ferrymen in later stories.
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