What role does the Styx River serve in mythology?

In mythology, the Styx River serves as a crucial barrier to the underworld, separating the realm of the living from the realm of the dead. According to Greek mythology, souls must cross the Styx upon their death in order to reach Hades, the underworld. This river is often depicted as a dark and foreboding body of water, and it is integral to the journey of the deceased, often requiring payment to Charon, the ferryman, for passage. The significance of the Styx extends beyond its physical characteristics; it symbolizes the boundary between life and death and the irrevocable nature of this transition.

The other options do not reflect the established role of the Styx. For instance, it is not depicted as a home for mythical beasts, a river of healing, or a source of eternal life, as these concepts belong to different myths and narratives within the broader scope of mythology.