Asia
Oceanid nymph whose name was given to the continent of Asia
The Myth of Asia
Asia was a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys who became the wife of the Titan Iapetus. Through this union she bore four sons of immense mythological importance: Prometheus the fire-bringer, Epimetheus the afterthought, Atlas the sky-bearer, and Menoetius the rash one. The Greeks associated her name with the vast landmass east of their world, and the continent of Asia ultimately derives its designation from this Oceanid. Some traditions conflate her with Clymene, another Oceanid credited with the same children.
Parents
Oceanus and Tethys
Children
Prometheus, Epimetheus, Atlas, Menoetius
Symbols
Fun Fact
The entire continent of Asia takes its name from this otherwise quiet Oceanid nymph
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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🌿 nymphsprings, motherhood
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