glaukos

Glaukos, rendered in Greek as Glaukos (Γλαῦκος), is a proper name found in ancient Greek mythology and literature. The name itself comes from the Greek glaukos, meaning bluish-green or sea-green, a color associated with the sea and with a gleaming, glassy appearance. As such, the name carried evocative associations with the ocean and with visibility or prophecy.

The most prominent figure called Glaukos is a sea deity or semi-divine figure connected with the sea and with prophetic knowledge. In some traditions he is described as a mortal fisherman who, after consuming a magical herb, is transformed into a sea-god who can foretell futures and provide wisdom about marine lore. This Glaukos is often depicted as inhabiting coastal regions and as an intermediary between mortals and the sea’s mysteries.

A well-known myth involving Glaukos concerns his romance with the sea-nymph Scylla and the jealous intervention of the enchantress Circe. According to certain versions, Glaukos falls in love with Scylla; Circe, who also desires him, uses magical means to win his affection, but her actions provoke Scylla’s transformation into a sea-monster, usually described as having multiple heads. This tale helps explain the historical naming of Scylla and reflects themes of desire, jealousy, and metamorphosis prominent in Greek myth.

Other figures named Glaukos appear in various myths and fragments, reflecting the common practice of reusing a name with strong sea-related or color-related associations. In later periods the name entered broader usage, and the root glauk- survives in several modern terms describing bluish-green coloration, as well as in scientific words such as glaucom-, glaucous, and related forms.