Pontus
primordialΠόντος
Personification of the Sea
Pontus was the primordial sea god, born from Gaia without a father — the first embodiment of the deep waters.
The Myth
Gaia bore Pontus parthenogenetically as a counterpart to Uranus. With Gaia, Pontus fathered Nereus, Thaumas, Phorcys, Ceto, and Eurybia. Through these children, virtually all sea creatures of Greek myth descended from him. Unlike Poseidon, who ruled the sea, Pontus was the sea itself.
Parents
Born from Gaia
Children
Nereus, Thaumas, Phorcys, Ceto, Eurybia
Symbols
wavesdeep watersalt
Fun Fact
The ancient name "Pontus Euxinus" for the Black Sea preserves this god's name — as does "pontoon."
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: