Evolution of the type of “Ferryman Charon” existing in Greek Mythology with the influences of Egypt and Near East Cultures

Year 2004, Issue: 10, 127 - 153, 01.11.2004

İşık Şahin

Abstract

Evolution of the type of “Ferryman Charon” existing in Greek Mythology with the influences of Egypt and Near East Cultures

Abstract

There is a view that the ferryman Charon existing in Greek mythology, who
transports the souls into Hades is not a real Greek belief because Homer and
Hesiod never mentioned Charon. As the myths and beliefs of Egypt and Near East
cultures are investigated, it is seen that it is appropriate to seek the roots of Charon
in Near East. The ferryman conveying the bodies through Nile River and Acheron
Lake in the traditions practiced in Egypt and the ferryman rowing in “death water”
in order to reach underworld in Gilgamifl Epic of Babil, also another ferryman in
the river swallowing the human being in Sumer mythology are all evidences of this
view. When the pantheons of Canaan-Ugarit, Phoenicia, and Egypt are also examined; it is determined that there is also an effect of Haurôn who was the God related to underworld and had close names with Charon of Greeks in various period.
Charon is encountered as Charun but with a different character as a death-demon
in Etruscan. It is known that Charon still exists with the names of Charos or
Charontas as the character of Death’s Angel rather than being as a ferryman
according to the belief in Modern Greece. Morever, the thought that Charos was
“death-god” before Homeros, supports the relationship established between
Haurôn “the underworld-god” and “ferryman Charon”.

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