Styx
Styx was both a river and an Oceanid goddess — the first divine ally of Zeus in the Titanomachy, rewarded by having her waters become the gods' unbreakable oath.
The Myth of Styx
Styx, eldest of the Oceanids and daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, ruled the river that divided the living world from the Underworld. When Zeus called allies for the Titanomachy against Kronos, Styx was the first to pledge her household — her children Nike, Kratos, Bia, and Zelus. Zeus honoured her by making her river the oath that no god could break. Achilles was dipped in the Styx by Thetis to gain invulnerability, his heel the only part untouched. Hades' realm lay beyond the Styx, where Cerberus guarded the far bank. Charon ferried the dead across its black waters. Even Heracles and Orpheus crossed it and returned — but for most, the crossing was final.
Parents
Oceanus and Tethys
Symbols
Fun Fact
The river of hatred became the guarantor of truth — a perfect Greek paradox that the strongest oaths are sworn on the darkest waters.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Metope
🌿 nymphrivers, motherhood
A river nymph, daughter of the river Ladon, who married the river god Asopus and bore him twenty daughters — many of whom were abducted by gods.
Creusa
🌿 nymphsprings, motherhood
A Naiad nymph of Thessaly who bore Hypseus and Stilbe to the river god Peneus.
Styx
🏛 placeRiver of unbreakable oaths
The Styx was the most sacred river of the underworld — the river by which the gods swore their most binding oaths, from which no vow could be broken.
Stilbe
🌿 nymphrivers, light
A nymph of Thessaly, daughter of the river Peneus, who bore Centaurus and Lapithes to Apollo — thus originating both the Centaurs and the Lapiths.
Antiope
🌿 nymphrivers, motherhood
A nymph or princess loved by Zeus, who bore the twins Amphion and Zethus, builders of Thebes' walls.
Aegina
🌿 nymphrivers, islands
A river nymph abducted by Zeus and brought to the island that bears her name.
Asopus
⚡ godriver, justice
River god of the Asopus in Boeotia, father of many nymphs.
Idaea
🌿 nymphmountains, springs
A nymph of Mount Ida in the Troad who became the second wife of the river god Scamander — or in other versions, of King Phineus.
Peneus
⚡ godriver, Thessaly
River god of the Peneus in Thessaly, father of Daphne.
Arethusa
🌿 nymphNymph who became a freshwater spring
Arethusa was a nymph of Artemis who was pursued by the river god Alpheus and transformed into a freshwater spring on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse.
Cephissus
⚡ godriver, purification
River god of the Cephissus, the principal river of Attica and Boeotia.
Sinope
🌿 nymphcleverness, virginity
A nymph who outwitted Zeus, Apollo, and the river god Halys by making each promise her virginity as a gift before granting her favours — then holding them to it.