Proteus

god

Πρωτεύς

Shape-shifting seer of the sea

Proteus knew all things but only spoke if held through shape-shifts.

The Myth

He herded Poseidon's seals on Pharos. You had to hold him through every transformation. Menelaus wrestled him.

Oceanus and Tethys

Eidothea

sealsshape-shiftingsea cave

"Protein" was named after this god in 1838.

English words and phrases that trace back to this myth: