Athena disguised herself as an old wisewoman at the births of Acheron and Styxx. She proclaimed that Acheron had been sent to Aara by the gods, which made Xerxes believe his wife had been unfaithful. When Xerxes wanted to kill Acheron, she stated that the boys' life forces were combined, so the death of one would cause the death of the other. Because of Aara and Xerxes' distaste for Acheron, she named him after the River of Woe.
Athena chose Styxx as her champion and assisted him in battle. She did her best to keep Apollo from abusing him.