The Story of Ceto
Ceto was a sea goddess of sea monsters and the dangers of the deep. She was a daughter of Pontus, the sea, and Gaia, the earth. Her name comes from the Greek word ketos, meaning sea monster or whale.
Ceto married her brother Phorcys, and together they became the parents of some of the most terrifying creatures in Greek myth. Their children included the Graeae, the gray sisters who shared one eye, the Gorgons, including Medusa, and the serpent Ladon. In some tellings Echidna, the mother of many monsters, was also her daughter.
Because of her children, Ceto stands behind many famous adventures, including Perseus's quest to behead Medusa. The Greeks also used the word ketos for any huge sea beast, such as the monster sent to devour Andromeda. Her name lives on in the word cetacean, used today for whales and dolphins.
Ceto's Family Tree
Husband of Ceto
Children of Ceto
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceto
Who is Ceto in Greek mythology?
Ceto is a sea goddess of sea monsters and the dangers of the sea.
Who are Ceto's parents?
Ceto is the daughter of Pontus, the sea, and Gaia, the earth.
Who are Ceto's children?
With her brother Phorcys, Ceto was the mother of the Gorgons, the Graeae and the serpent Ladon.
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