The Oceanids: Powerful Water Nymphs of Ancient Greek Mythology Some of the names given are adjectives which Hyginus has mistaken for Oceanides. The water bride-groom begat Klymene (Clymene), fairest of the Neiades [Okeanides (Oceanids)], whom Tethys nursed on her wet breast, her youngest, a maiden with lovely arms . METIS The Okeanis goddess of wisdom and good-counsel. Unlike the Nereids, who numbered only fifty in comparison, the Oceanids represented a broad variety of power types and levels. She was probably the Naias of the town's well or spring. keans; pl. [As the thunder begins to roar, the Okeanides heed the warning and depart.]". The Aurai The breeze nymphs were sometimes said to be the daughters of the wind gods, but were more often called Oceanids. . To honor her, Zeus made her the goddess of the underworlds infamous River Styx. Oceanids - Vikidia, the encyclopedia for children, teenagers, and The ocean remains one of the most unexplored places on Earth. The three thousand Oceanids were nymphs known above all for their beauty. Some infamous Oceanids include Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon, . The fountain at York House, Twickenham concentrates on a purely marine theme and is of much wider extent. . Who does not sympathize with your woes--save only Zeus? The goddess Artemis requested that sixty Oceanids of nine years be made her personal choir, to serve her as her personal handmaids and remain virgins. Several of the names given for Oceanids, are also names given for Nereids, the fifty sea nymphs who were the daughters of the sea god Nereus and the Oceanid Doris. HESIONE The Okeanis "knowing" or "foresight" was a goddess of foreknowledge. Four ancient sources give lists of names of Oceanids. Important references to the mythology and cult of the Oceanids can be found in some later works, notably the Library by the mythographer known as Apollodorus or Pseudo-Apollodorus (first century BCE/first few centuries CE) and the Description of Greece by Pausanias (ca. Okeaniden. In Paulys Realencyclopdie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft, edited by Georg Wissowa and August Friedrich Pauly, vol. She was the wife of the Titan Prometheus (forethought). Hesiod goes on to say that these "are the eldest . 50. [1] Hesiod goes on to say that these "are the eldest but there are many besides" and that there were "three thousand" Oceanids,[2] a number interpreted as meaning "innumerable". She rescued her two children from sacrifice by sending a flying golden-fleeced Ram to their aide (a creature reminiscent of a golden cloud). Woodstock 1969 On August 15 1969, half a million people descended on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, for the first Woodstock festival. Several of the names of Oceanids were also among the names given to the Nereids. : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 38. Most of the Oceanids were thought to be beneficial and kind goddesses. ASTEROPE The "starry-eyed" was an Okeanis loved by Zeus. IANTHE The Okeanis of "violet flowers" or the colour "violet". 108 ff (trans. Theoi Project. Credit: Public Domain In Greek mythology, there are over 3,000 Oceanids, or water nymphs. She was probably either the Naias of a fast-flowing spring or an Aura of the swift breeze. Not wanting to lose his power, Zeus swallowed Metis. As a group, the Oceanids form the chorus of the ancient Greek tragedy Prometheus Bound, coming up from their cave beneath the ground to console the chained Titan Prometheus. They were often portrayed as the wives of the Potamoi (River-Gods) and mothers of younger Naiades. Learn more about our mission. Otherwise, the Oceanids were seen primarily as companions of other gods, such as Artemis or Persephone. Some Oceanids married other prominent gods and Titans, like Poseidon, while others were lovers of Helios and several other gods. PAREGORON The Okeanis goddess of consolation and soothing words. That said, many Oceanids had more minor roles and were more akin to water nymphs than powerful goddesses. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. [41] Several copies of the sculpture exist, displayed in the Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum outside Antwerp, the German Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. RHODEIA The Okeanis named "of the roses" or "rose-coloured" was either an Anthousa flower-nymphe, Naias of a rose-draped spring, or Nephele of the rose-tinged clouds of dawn. Afterwards, she became Zeus first wife. As goddesses of freshwater streams and springs, the Naiads were the most numerous, but others were goddesses of the meadows, flowers, and other elements of the natural world. : Orphic Hymn 51 to the Nymphs (trans. Eurynome was perhaps one of the Epimelides--nymphai of the pastures. Among both the Titanesses and the nymphs, there were many goddesses who became the lovers and wives of the Olympians and their allies. "To the Nymphai (Nymphs) [Okeanides (Oceanids)], Fumigation from Aromatics. Historians often interpret these Oceanids based on their names as much as the contexts of their stories. Published online 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e829560. OCEANIDS (Okeanides) - Water Nymphs of Greek Mythology Before they began their legendary voyage to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece, the Argonauts made an offering of flour, honey, and sea to the ocean deities, sacrificed bulls to them, and entreated their protection from the dangers of their journey. These include Dione, Euronyme, Electra, and Metis. As goddesses, they were responsible above all for the care of the young. Though they were often associated with water and the sea, the Oceanids did not have a single home and were instead scattered far and wide throughout the world. He was also her nephew, because her sister Philyra was the mother of the centaurs. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. They typically had no mythology of their own and they were named for the item, emotion, or state of being they represented. Historically, there were just four oceans, but we now recognize five different oceans: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently added fifth . In addition to living within the realm of Hades, Styx was also the goddess of a major river. Doris married not an Olympian, but an older god. Okeanides formed the chorus in Aeschylus' play Prometheus Bound in which they sympathize with the plight of the chained Titan and prompt him to tell his story. KLYMENE 1 (Clymene) The Okeanis goddess of fame and infamy was the wife of the Titan Iapetos. The Oceanids were such a large group that they were rarely depicted as a collective. PASITHOE An Okeanis whose name means "all-swift". Oceanus was married to his sister Tethys and she bore him many children called Oceanids. 570260 BCE). They are Peitho, Admete, Ianthe and Elektra, Doris and Prymno and Ourania like a goddess, Hippo and Klymene, Rhodeia and Kallirhoe, Zeuxo and Klytia, and Idyia and Pasithoe, Plexaura and Galaxaura and lovely Dione, Melobosis and Thoe, and Polydora the shapely, Kerkeis of the lovely stature, and ox-eyed Plouto, Xanthe and Akaste, Perseis and Ianeira, Petraie the lovely, and Menestho, and Europa, Metis and Eurynome, Telesto robed in saffron, Khryseis, and Asia, and alluring Kalypso, Eudora and Tykhe, and Amphiro and Okyroe, and Styx, who among them all has the greatest eminence. MEROPE The Okeanis "with face turned" was the mother of Phaethon by the god Helios. The Oceanids were among these companions, who were often described as the handmaidens of the Olympian goddesses. Oceanus Greek God and husband to Tethys was a god during the era of Titans. But, at all events, may you [the Okeanides (Oceanids)] who sympathize with his anguish, withdraw in haste from this spot so that the relentless roar of the thunder [from Zeus] does not stun your senses. : . Ione and Panthea accompany the suffering hero and are joined by his lover, Asia. She was "the hated", whose dark streams symbolised poisoned waters. He and his wife, the Titanide Tethys, were the parents of 3,000 Oceanids daughters, who were sisters to the Potamoi River Gods frequently mentioned throughout Greek mythology. Helios also had a relationship with Perseis, another Oceanid. "Tethys bore to Okeanos (Oceanus) the swirling Potamoi (Rivers) . For it is worthwhile to indulge in weeping and in wailing over evil fortunes when one is likely to win the tribute of a tear from the listener. She was also called a daughter of Nyx or Zeus. One, four or five, depending on whom you ask. The lightfoot Horai (Horae, Seasons) acclaimed Klymene's bridal with Helios (the Sun) Phaesphoros (Lightbringer), the Nymphai Neides (Naiad Nymphs) [i.e. : The earliest literary references to Oceanus and his daughters come from the Homeric epics (eighth century BCE). She was the mother of the rainbow goddess Iris by the sea-god Thaumas (Wondrous). [15] Others appear to be geographical eponyms, such as Europa, Asia, Ephyra (Corinth), and Rhodos (Rhodes).[16]. and Doris, the mother of the 50 Nereids. Not all experts agree on the number of oceans on our planet. Nymphae. In A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. She may have been the same as Klymene 2. [16], The Oceanids were not generally worshipped in ancient Greece. [8] While their brothers, the Potamoi, were the usual personifications of major rivers, Styx (according to Hesiod the eldest and most important Oceanid) was also the personification of a major river, the underworld's river Styx. She was the daughter of Nyx, the goddess of the night. Chorus [of Okeanides] : Use some other strain and urge me to some other course in which you are likely to convince me. As a group, the Oceanids chief function was to care for young children. Metis, for example, was married to Zeus (before he swallowed her and married Hera). [4] The probably nearly as old Homeric Hymn to Demeter lists twenty-one names, sixteen of which match those given by Hesiod,[5] and were probably taken directly from there.[6]. She may have been a Naias or Nephele Nymphe, in the sense of a yoked or tamed horse. Styx, the eldest and perhaps most famous of the Oceanids, married Pallas, son of the Titans Crius and Eurybia. Other Oceanids were known not for the gods they loved, but for the goddesses they accompanied. The River Styxs nymph was a major naiad, but she was also unlike most of her sisters in both her home and her prominence. . COMING UP: 7 AM ET - Wake Up America 9 AM ET -. published 7 June 2023. He also recounts the myths of several individual Oceanids, including Styx and Metis. 334 ff (trans. Their service was granted to her by Zeus not only to be her companions, but also to care for her hunting dogs. She was probably the same as Klymene 2. Zurich: Artemis, 1994. Their brothers were the three thousand Potamoi, or Rivers.[4]. AMPHIRO An Okeanis named "the surrounding flow". Most Oceanids or water nymphs were thought to be friendly and kind goddesses who benefitted society in a particular way. [11] The Oceanids were the nymphs of springs,[12] and some of the names apparently reflect this aquatic connection, with some perhaps being the names of actual springs. Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 4.1410ff. She was mentioned in several myths in which Aphrodite dispatched her to influence peoples opinions and even had her own cult following in many important Greek cities. Like the rest of their family, the Oceanid nymphs were associated with water, as the personification of springs. Prometheus : It is for you, Io, to grant them this favor, especially since they [the Okeanides] are your father's [Inakhos' (Inachus')] sisters. Following the discovery of the Americas, the concept changed again, but the idea of "7 seas" did not. The matching names are: Asia, Callirhoe, Doris, Electra, Eurynome, Idyia, Metis, and Styx. Fairclough) (Roman bucolic C1st B.C.) The Olympian goddesses, like noble women of the human world, were attended by many other deities. . Oceanids and Nereids were both water nymphs and similar in a number of ways. They also served as companions and handmaidens to the Olympian goddesses. Her sisters sang the hymn at the wedding. [14] Styx was the wife of the Titan Pallas, and the mother of Zelus, Nike, Kratos, and Bia. DORIS The Okeanis "pure water" was a wife of the sea-god Nereus. The moon was Selene. Pindar, Pythian Odes 4.1023; Apollonius, Argonautica 2.1231ff; Apollodorus, Library 1.2.4. BEROE The Okeanis Nymphe of the city of Beroe (Beruit) in Lebanon. O Nysiai [Nysiades], insane (manikoi), whom oaks delight, lovers of spring, Paionian virgins bright; with Bakkhos and with Deo [Demeter] hear my prayer, and to mankind abundant favour bear; propitious listen to your suppliant's voice, come, and benignant in these rites rejoice; give plenteous seasons and sufficient wealth, and pour in lasting streams, continued health.". Sadly, Many Happiness Studies Are Flawed - WSJ Dione was, in some traditions, a consort of Zeus and the mother of Aphrodite. The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology. Yet I am ashamed to tell about the storm of calamity sent by Heaven, of the marring of my form, and of the source from which it swooped upon me, wretched that I am. Oceanids | Riordan Wiki | Fandom Shedding from my eyes a coursing flood of tears I wet my tender cheeks with their moist streams. Marine life, sea life, or ocean life is the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the salt water of seas or oceans, or the brackish water of coastal estuaries.At a fundamental level, marine life affects the nature of the planet. Zeuss brother also married an Oceanid. Homer, Iliad 5.370ff; Euripides, Helen 1098; Apollodorus, Library 1.1.3, 1.2.7, 1.3.1. This article is about Greek mythological sea nymphs. Braswell, Bruce Karl, Margarethe Billerbeck, This page was last edited on 28 June 2023, at 00:45. There are also many other types of Nymphs - such as the "Oceanids" (as you can probably guess, from the Ocean) and the "Nephalai", which inhabited clouds and rain. Hyginus lists seventeen names, but one is unintelligible: Hestyaea, Melite, Ianthe, Admete, Stilbo, Pasiphae, Polyxo, Eurynome, Euagoreis, Rhodope, Lyris, Clytia,