CHARON The Greek ferryman of the dead, Charon took the dead souls of men and women across the River Styx, into the underworld of Hades, but not before their bodies had been buried in the earth above, with all due ceremony of sacrifice and marks of affection. Until this was done, the souls of the dead would wander listlessly along the banks of the Styx. As payment for the journey across the River of the Dead, Charon demanded a coin, one per soul, which had to be placed under the tongue of the corpse. Without this fee, the Ferryman would refuse to convey a soul into Hades.