What was the name of the ferryman who transported souls across the Styx River?

Charon is the ferryman in Greek mythology who is responsible for transporting the souls of the deceased across the Styx River, which separates the world of the living from the Underworld. He is depicted as a grim figure who requires payment for his services, typically in the form of an obol, a small silver coin. Those who could not pay were believed to wander the shores of the Styx for eternity, unable to enter the afterlife.

Understanding Charon's role is crucial in the context of funeral service and beliefs about death, as he symbolizes the passage from life to death. The other figures mentioned, such as Hermes, Odysseus, and Hades, have different roles in mythology. Hermes serves as a messenger god and guide for souls, Odysseus is a hero known for his adventures and journey home, and Hades is the god of the Underworld itself. Each of these characters contributes to the larger narrative of life, death, and the afterlife in Greek mythology but does not fulfill the specific role that Charon does in ferrying souls.