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Explore mythology and art with information about the classic stories of heroes and gods...from the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, to the legends of the Celts. Mythography presents resources and reference materials about mythology - including recommended books, and lexicons that explain Greek, Roman, and Celtic terms.

Gardner's Art Through the Ages

This book is the classic reference for the study of art. It features a history of artists and their works, as well as lucid and engaging descriptions of the styles and periods of art history. Highly recommended for both students and scholars.

Aphrodite in Art
Aphrodite in Myth
Art Themes

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Nereus at a Glance

name | Nereus (NhreuV)

role | sea god

Nereus in Greek Mythology
Nereus was an important sea god in Greek mythology. He was the son of Pontus, a deity who was himself the personification of the Sea. Nereus appears in Hesiod's Theogony (which, incidentally, is an ancient poem that describes the birth of the Greek gods and goddesses):

"Pontus sired truthful Nereus, his oldest son,
who tells no lies; they call him the old man
because he is honest and gentle and never forgetful
of right, but ever mindful of just and genial thought."

From this description, it is easy understand why the ancient Greeks regarded Nereus as a wise and just Old Man of the Sea. Indeed, some sources state that Nereus had the gift of prophecy. This gift, however useful, also occasionally brought conflict. One case in point involves the hero Herakles, who, according to one version of the story, had to catch Nereus and make the sea god tell him the location of the Garden of the Hesperides.

The sea god is also credited with fathering fifty beautiful daughters with his wife, the Oceanid Doris. These sea nymphs are collectively known as the Nereids, a name derived from that of their father. Some of these sea goddesses played significant roles in myth. A few noteworthy Nereids are Amphitrite, Galatea, Psamathe, and Thetis.

In addition it is worth noting that Nereus and his daughters the Nereids were thought to dwell together in the sea. Indeed, there is a scene in Homer's Iliad in which Thetis is invoked by her son Achilles. Homer describes how the sea nymph emerges from her home in the following manner: "...her ladyship [Thetis] his mother heard him in green deeps where she lolled near her old father. Gliding she rose and broke like mist from the inshore grey sea face, to sit down softly before him..." (Iliad, Book I, 358 ff.).

Who's Who in Classical Mythology This book is a great source for information about Greek and Roman mythology! Organized alphabetically, this who's who features information about over 1200 of the most intriguing characters from Classical myth and legend.	Bulfinch's Mythology The stories of Classical myth come to life in Bulfinch's book. This edition also features legends from other cultures.	Mythography Forums Do you have a specific question about Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythology? Then try the Mythography forum!

Bulfinch's Mythology

The Oxford Classical Dictionary