Nereus: Greek Old Man of the Sea

The Story of Nereus

Nereus was an ancient sea god known as the Old Man of the Sea. He was the eldest son of Pontus, the sea, and Gaia, the earth. Hesiod praises him as truthful and gentle, a god who never forgot what was right.

Nereus married the Oceanid Doris, and together they had fifty daughters, the sea nymphs called the Nereids. They lived with him in the depths of the Aegean Sea, where they danced, sang and helped sailors. Among his daughters were Thetis, the mother of Achilles, and Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon.

Like many sea gods, Nereus had the gift of prophecy and the power to change his shape. Anyone who wanted his knowledge had to catch him and hold on until he gave in. He was wise and always told the truth once he answered.

When Heracles needed to find the garden of the Hesperides, he caught Nereus while he slept. The god turned into fire, water and many other forms, but Heracles held on through every change. At last, Nereus told him the way to the golden apples.

Artists showed Nereus as an old man with a long beard, sometimes with the tail of a fish, holding a trident or a staff. Later, Poseidon took over his place as the main god of the sea. Yet Nereus remained a respected elder, remembered for his wisdom and his many daughters.