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Acheron
river, Greece
AcheronWaters of the Acheron river near the village of Glykí, Greece.
Acheron, river in Thesprotía in Epirus, Greece, that was thought in ancient times to go to Hades because it flowed through dark gorges and went underground in several places; an oracle of the dead was located on its bank. In Greek mythology it is a river in Hades, and the name sometimes refers to the lower world generally. Several other rivers in Greece are also called Acheron, which traditionally means River of Woe.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Mindy Johnston.
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