Styx facts for kids
In Greek mythology, Styx is a powerful goddess and the name of a very important river. She was the only female river goddess. Styx was the daughter of two ancient gods, Okeanos (the god of the world-ocean) and Tethys (a sea goddess).
With the god Pallas, Styx became the mother of four famous children: Zelus (Rivalry), Nike (Victory), Kratos (Strength), and Bia (Force). Sometimes, Eos (the goddess of dawn) is also mentioned as her child.
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Styx and the Titan War
Styx played a very important role in a huge war called the Titanomachy. This was a massive battle between the older gods, the Titans, and the younger gods, the Olympians, led by Zeus.
When the war began, Styx quickly decided to support Zeus and the Olympians. She sent her powerful children—Zelus, Nike, Kratos, and Bia—to help Zeus fight against the Titans. Their help was very valuable to Zeus and his allies.
Styx's Reward
Because Styx and her children helped Zeus win the Titanomachy, Zeus rewarded her greatly. Unlike many Titans who were thrown into Tartarus (a deep, dark prison in the Greek underworld), Styx was given a special honor. Zeus made her the guardian of the famous river Styx.
This was a huge privilege, showing how much Zeus trusted and valued her loyalty.
The River Styx
The River Styx is one of the most famous rivers in Greek mythology. It was believed to flow through the Greek underworld, the land of the dead. The word "Styx" means "hate" or "detestation," which shows how serious and important this river was.
Crossing the River
In myths, the souls of the dead had to cross the River Styx to reach the underworld. The ferryman who took them across was named Charon. He was an old, grumpy boatman who would only carry souls who had been properly buried and had a coin placed under their tongue. Styx is sometimes said to be Charon's wife.
Sacred Oaths
The River Styx was incredibly sacred to the gods. If a god swore an oath (a very serious promise) by the waters of Styx, that oath was unbreakable. It was the most powerful and binding promise in all of Greek mythology. If a god broke an oath sworn on Styx, they would suffer terrible punishments, like being unable to breathe or speak for a long time.
Other Rivers and Guardians
Besides the River Styx, there were other important rivers in the underworld. Styx is also mentioned as the guardian of the river Cocytus, which means "river of wailing," and Acheron, often called the "river of sorrow." These rivers were all part of the journey souls took in the underworld.
