Hell (Rivers of)

Classic authors tell us that the Inferno is encompassed by five rivers: Achěron, Cocȳtus, Styx, Phlegěthon, and Lethē. Acheron from the Greek achos-reo, grief-flowing; Cocytus, from the Greek kõkuo, to weep, supposed to be a flood of tears; Styx, from the Greek stugěo, to loathe; Phlegethon, from the Greek phlěgo, to burn; and Lethê, from the Greek letlē, oblivion.

Five hateful rivers round Inferno run,

Grief comes the first, and then the Flood of tears,

Next loathsome Styx, then liquid Flame appears,

Letbē comes last, or blank oblivion.

E. C. B.

· ·

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.