This page will give a little background knowledge on some of the main characters.
This in now presumes to be an entire listing. I only mention the ones in the
stories I have mentioned on the previous page, or who may play of importance if
you were to read the Casson interpretation. Hermes
, Charon, Menippus, and Pollux are the most
important.
Hermes was the messenger to the gods. Though he did have virtuous characteristics, he
was also known as a trickster. The trait seems somewhat fitting for someone responsible
for transporting souls of the dead to the underworld. Hermes was also the inventor of the lyre.
Charon is the ferryman, responsible for getting the souls across the mystical River Styx.
Once across the river, the shades would face a three-person judgement panel. Charon did
charge for this duty, either one or two obols. 
As stated on the home page, these were often
place on the tongue of a deceased person before burial to ensure their passage. In Lucian's
Dialogues of the Dead 22, Menippus and Charon get into an argument because Menippus does not
have the requisite obol. It is actually a comical episode, as Menippus tells Charon to take
him back and resurrect him since he can't pay.
Menippus was a philosopher, but apparently not one of those Lucian was not fond of. In the first
Dialogue, Diogennes has Pollux deliver a message to Menippus. He wants Menippus to come join him
in the underworld and wants to make sure he knows how much he will enjoy himself. Later in Dialogue
10 Menippus is seen enjoying himself, helping to lighten the load for Charon.
Pollux, as discussed earlier, is the immortal son of Leta. His twin brother Castor was not immortal,
however, and once he died they were allowed to share the immortality. On alternating days one or the
other could be found in the underworld. They journeyed back and forth between the two places.