Meaning of Charon's obol | Babel Free

Definitions

A coin placed in or on the mouth of a deceased person as a bribe or payment for Charon, the ferryman of Hades.

Greek, Roman

Equivalents

Examples

“Also, the Charon's obol of classical tradition was a low-value coin, a symbol that death makes rich and poor equal.”

“However, in tombs all over the cemetery the use of "Charon's obols" was widely practiced, primarily in the form of the local Kolkhidki minted after the Persian weight standard.”

“In Pieria, particularly, gold coins or pseudo-coins were employed as lamellae, also being inscribed and on at least two occasions deposited in the burial in the same way as a Charon's obol.”

CEFR level