Styx. The word, or name, comes from the Greek, meaning to abhor, and Styx is called the River of Hate and represented as the river of the lower world. The classic fables concerning it are of Egyptian origin. It was said to flow nine times round the infernal regions. The third river, Cocytus, flows out of the River Styx and the murmur of its waters, the sound of which imitates howlings, is inexpressibly dismal; Phlegethon, the fourth river, rolls slowly along its waves of fire. As a mythical being, Styx is described as a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. As a nymph, she dwelt at the entrance of hades, in a lofty grotto which was supported by silver columns. She became the divinity by whom the most solemn oaths were sworn. When one of the gods had to take an oath by Styx, Iris fetched a cup full of water from the Styx, and the god, while taking the oath, poured out the water.
