Phlegethon
Phlegethon, also spelled Phlegethón, is the mythological river of fire in Greek tradition. It is traditionally listed among the five rivers of the Greek underworld—the others being Styx, Lethe, Acheron, and Cocytus. The name derives from the Greek phlégethón, meaning "fiery" or "burning." In most accounts, Phlegethon is a stream of flame that encircles or runs through the realm of the dead, sometimes surrounding Tartarus or serving as a barrier to the punishments of Hades.
In classical poetry and prose, Phlegethon functions as a vivid symbol of punitive fire. Its imagery reinforces
Beyond antiquity, Phlegethon is used in modern literature and scholarship as a toponym and symbol. It appears