Mythology · 2
Why did the ferryman Charon initially refuse to carry Aeneas across the underworld river in Virgil's Aeneid?
Answer
Because Aeneas was still alive
Charon's role was to ferry the souls of the dead, so he balked at transporting a living mortal like Aeneas until shown the golden bough as proof of divine sanction.
💡 Did you know?
Aeneas brought a golden bough as a toll to cross the underworld, but Charon—the ferryman—initially refused him passage because he was still alive.
Other options people guess
- Because Aeneas had not paid the customary coin
- Because Aeneas lacked a guide to lead him
- Because Aeneas was not a Roman citizen
Topics
- roman-mythology
- aeneid
- underworld
- charon
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