Final answer:
In ancient mythology, Charon is the figure known for driving the boat across the Acheron river, ferrying souls to the underworld.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boat across the river Acheron, in ancient mythology, is driven by Charon. In the tales of Virgil, such as in the Aeneid, and in Greek mythology, Charon serves as the ferryman of the dead. Travelers to the underworld were required to pay him an obol, a small coin, to ferry them across the river to their final resting place within the realm of Hades. This mythological figure was solidified in the cultural imagination through various ancient texts, including the Greek epic Minyas and referenced in Aristophanes' Frogs.