Home

Nereus

Nereus is a figure in Greek mythology described as the old man of the sea, a benevolent sea deity associated with the calm and productive aspects of the Mediterranean waters. Often depicted as an elderly, patient mariner who could assume different shapes at will, Nereus embodies wisdom and the enduring, trustworthy character of the sea. He is sometimes said to reside in the depths or in a cave near the edges of the known world.

Nereus is the father of the Nereids, a large group of sea-nymphs. Among his daughters are Thetis,

In myth, Nereus is valued for his knowledge of the sea and his ability to tell the

Nereus and the Nereids have a prominent place in ancient art, where they are depicted in scenes

the
mother
of
Achilles,
and
Amphitrite,
who
becomes
the
wife
of
Poseidon;
many
other
sisters
accompany
them.
The
Nereids
frequently
appear
as
attendants
of
the
sea
gods
and
as
personifications
of
different
marine
environments.
future
or
reveal
hidden
truths
to
those
who
approach
him
with
patience.
In
Homeric
poetry
he
is
portrayed
as
a
reliable
oracle
of
seafaring
wisdom.
In
later
traditions,
the
shapeshifting
prophetic
powers
are
associated
with
Proteus,
while
Nereus
remains
the
elder,
benevolent
source
of
sea
knowledge.
of
sailors
at
sea
or
as
part
of
the
retinue
of
Poseidon
and
Amphitrite.
The
name
continues
to
be
used
in
modern
literature
and
science
to
evoke
the
ancient,
maternal
aspects
of
the
sea.