Oceanids, 3000 beautiful sea nymphs

In Greek mythology the Oceanids, or sea nymphs, were the beautiful daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. There were 3000 Oceanids mainly living in the waters, although some Oceanids inhabited the land. They were the lovers and wives of Greek gods, heroes and princes. The names of all of them are not known, the Greek poet Hesiod who wrote Theogony, a poem about the birth of Greek gods and goddesses, included some of them in that poem....

They are Peitho, Admete, Ianthe, and Electra, Doris, Prymno, and godlike Ourania, Hippo, Klymene, Rhodeia, and Kallirhoe, Zeuxo, Klytia, Idyia, and Peisithoe, Plexaura, Galaxaura, and lovely Dione, Melobosis, Thoe, and beautiful Polydora, shapely Kerkeis and cow-eyed Plouto, Perseis, Ianeira, Akaste, and Xanthe, lovely Petraia, Menestho, and Europe, Metis, Eurynome, and saffron-robed Telesto, Chryseis, Asia, and enchanting Kalypso, Eudora, Tyche, Amphiro, and Okyrhoe, and Styx, who holds the highest rank. These are the eldest daughters born to Tethys and Okeanos

Hesiod, 8th century BC

Some of these Oceanids or sea nymphs were more notable than others, playing significant roles in Greek mythology.

Doris, meaning abundance or bounty, was the goddess of rich fshing grounds. She was also the wife of Nereus, together they produced 50 children known as the Nereids.

Metis, was the goddess of wisdom, thought and counsel. Metis caught the eye of Zeus, who fell in love with her. Metis, however, was having none of it, even resorting to shape shifting to avoid the advances of Zeus. Eventually she gave in and became the first wife of Zeus, but their happiness was short lived. Metis became pregnant and informed Zeus that this child would be a daughter, but she also told him that their second child would be a son and that this son would eventually overthrow Zeus.

Zeus, having already overthrown his own father, had no desire to succumb to the same fate and promptly swallowed the pregnant Metis. Later Zeus gave birth through his forehead to Athena, Athena was born dessed in full armour. Metis was said to have advised Zeus from within his stomach, passing on her wisdom.

Styx was the goddess of the underworld river and unbreakable oaths. The River Styx ran through the underworld, and is the place where the Gods would take their oaths. These oaths if broken would result in the god having to drink from the river, causing them to lose their voices for a period of nine years. It is said that the goddess Styx held special powers and could bestow the gift immortality. She came to the aid of the Olympians in their war with the Titans, and it was this act that led to her name being associated with the binding oaths of the gods.

If you enjoyed finding out about Oceanids, you may also enjoy reading about the Nereids