Thaumas

Thaumas is a figure in Greek mythology described as a sea deity and a personification of the marvels or wonders of the ocean. The name Thaumas comes from a Greek root meaning "marvel" or "wonder."

In the traditional theogonies, Thaumas is a son of Pontus (the Sea) and Gaia (the Earth), placing him among the early generation of sea deities alongside siblings such as Nereus, Phorcys, Ceto, and Eurybia. He is married to Electra, an Oceanid daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. Together, Thaumas and Electra are credited with the parentage of the Harpies, winged female beings often associated with storm winds. The two most commonly named Harpies are Aello and Celaeno, though some traditions mention a third Harpy.

Thaumas does not play a major active role in surviving myth narratives; his significance lies chiefly in his genealogical position and in representing the wondrous aspects of the sea. In classical literature, he is primarily cited in genealogical lists or as a parent of the Harpies, rather than as a central character in heroic or mythic adventures. The figure thus serves to connect the concept of oceanic marvels to later sea deities and mythic beings through lineage.