greek mythology

[ddacus]

why did ancient greeks bury their dead with a coin under their tongues

[Clanad]

To assure payment to Charon the ferryman to bring the dead across the River Styx...

[fairkatrina]

It was also common practice to place coins over each eye for the same reason.

[heathfield]

The coin under the tongue was for Charon, who required 'a coin' to ferry the dead.
The two coins placed on the eyes were used as weights on the eyelids to prevent them from opening after death.

[taliesin238]

I dont know about the Greeks but the Romans put coins on the eyes of the dead to pay the fair to carry the soul off in the afterlife!