Nereus
godNereus was the ancient, benevolent sea god known as the Old Man of the Sea — truthful, wise, gentle, and father of the fifty Nereids.
The Myth
Nereus was older than Poseidon and represented the calm, kind aspects of the sea. He could change shape (like Proteus) but was fundamentally gentle and honest. Heracles wrestled him to learn the location of the Garden of the Hesperides. He never lied — a rarity among divine beings. His fifty daughters, the Nereids, were among the most benevolent spirits in Greek religion. He dwelt in a golden cave on the Aegean seabed with his wife Doris.
Children
The fifty Nereids (by Doris)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Nereus represents the pre-Olympian, kindlier relationship the Greeks imagined between humans and the sea.
Explore Further
Gaia
primordialGaia was the primordial Earth goddess, the first being to emerge after Chaos — mother of the...
Garden of the Hesperides
placeThe Garden of the Hesperides was a paradise at the far western edge of the world where golden...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Hesperides
nymphThe Hesperides tended golden apple trees at the western edge of the world.
Nereids
nymphThe fifty Nereids were daughters of Nereus — benevolent spirits of the calm sea who aided sailors...