Charon

In order to cross the river Acheron in der Underworld, it was necessary to apply to Charon, the official ferryman. His fee was an obol (a Greek ancient small silver coin), and the Greeks therefore occasionally placed an obol in the mouths of the dead.

Here we see Charon in his boat on the reedy banks of the river receiving the soul of a dead person which is shown as a small winged creature, “eidolon”.

 

Attic white ground red-figured lekythos

Made in Athens, 500 - 450 BC

Attributed to “The Tymbos Painter”

From Athens

Oxford, Ashmolean Museum

 

Done