The Story of Thalassa
Thalassa was the primordial goddess of the sea, especially the sea's surface. Her name is still the modern Greek word for sea. According to the Roman writer Hyginus, she was a daughter of Aether and Hemera.
In some accounts, Thalassa was paired with Pontus, the god of the deep sea, and together they brought forth the fish and the other creatures of the waves. Writers also linked her with the Telchines, ancient sea spirits who were said to be skilled metalworkers. She was more the living spirit of the sea than a goddess with stories of her own.
Thalassa had no major cult, but she appeared in art. Mosaics from the Roman period show her as a woman rising from the waves, sometimes with crab claws on her head and holding an oar or a rudder. For the Greeks, she was the sea itself, ever present in a land surrounded by water.
Thalassa's Family Tree
Parents of Thalassa
Partners of Thalassa
Children of Thalassa
Frequently Asked Questions About Thalassa
Who is Thalassa in Greek mythology?
Thalassa is the primordial goddess of the sea, especially its surface. Her name is still the modern Greek word for sea.
Who are Thalassa's parents?
According to the Roman writer Hyginus, Thalassa is the daughter of Aether and Hemera.
What is the difference between Thalassa and Pontus?
Pontus stands for the deep sea, while Thalassa is the sea's surface. In some accounts the two are paired as the parents of the creatures of the sea.
