Sixty of the younger Oceanides were attendants of the goddess Artemis and formed part of her retinue. Definition of the Oceanides
Who were the Oceanides of Ancient Greek mythology? The meaning and definition of Oceanides are as follows: Definition of Oceanides: The Oceanides were minor goddesses and water nymphs, the three thousand daughters of the ancient Titan gods Oceanus and his wife Tethys. According to Greek mythology sixty of the younger Oceanides were attendants of the goddess Artemis and formed part of her retinue. Like all nymphs the Oceanides had the gift of prophecy and divination. The Oceanides - Water Nymphs of the Oceans or Rivers?
The name 'Oceanides' suggests that these nymphs presided over the salt water oceans, but this was always not the case. The 3000 Oceanides were nymphs of all the rivers of the world, the fountains, subterranean springs, wells and lakes. The Oceanides were also minor goddesses of clouds, winds, breezes, sunsets and sunrises. The name 'Oceanides' is taken from the name of their father Oceanus who was the ancient god of the 'River Oceanus', an enormous river that encircled the world. The ancient Greeks believed that the River Oceanus was a great, fresh-water stream that encircled the entire flat earth. The River Oceanus was believed to be the source of all fresh waters on earth and from its stream all the rivers and clouds drew their waters. The River Styx, which encircled the Underworld, also drew their waters from the River Oceanus. In later times Oceanus came to represent the unknown waters of the Atlantic Ocean and a god of the next generation of deities, Poseidon, ruled over the Mediterranean Sea. The Oceanides were also called the Hydriades or Ephydriades, water nymphs that were believed to be the nymphs all the rivers of the world, fountains, and lakes. The Oceanides - The Potamoi
Oceanus and Tethys also had 3,000 sons, the river-gods called the Potamoi who were the brothers of the Oceanides. The brothers and sisters often married and their offspring were the Naiades who also presided over freshwater waterways. Most sources limit the term 'Oceanides' to the daughters but others include both the sons and daughters of Oceanus and Tethys under this term. Names of the Groups of Oceanides
In Greek mythology the Oceanides were the patrons of a particular spring, river, sea, lake, pond or cloud. The water nymphs who presided over all the different forms of water and waterways were designated the general name of Oceanides, however, four distinct groups of Oceanides were given specific names: - The Hydriades were a group of water nymphs who protected various springs and they attributed therapeutic properties to their water, hence the term hydrotherapy
- The Ephydriades were the Oceanide Nymphs of the fountains
- The Nephelai were the Oceanide Nymphs of clouds
- The Aurai were the Oceanide Nymphs of breezes
Names of Famous Oceanides in Greek Mythology
The names of the most famous Oceanides mentioned in Greek Mythology are detailed in the following list: Admete: She was a companion of Persephone Capheira: She was the nymph who cared for the storm-clouds Crocale: She was one of the younger Oceanides who attended Artemis Clymene was a handmaiden of Hera and personified the blessing of Fame. Dione: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans Eidyia: She was the wife of Aeetes, the mother of Medea Eurynome: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans Elektra: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans Hesione: She was the wife of Prometheus Leucippe: She was with Persephone when she was kidnapped by Hades Melia: She was loved by the god Apollo Menestho: She was the nymph of strongly blowing breezes Metis: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans and personified the blessing of Wisdom Neda: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans. She helped nurse the infant Zeus Periboea: She was the the mother of Aura, goddess of the breeze Peitho was the handmaiden of Aphrodite, an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans and personified the blessing of Persuasion. Petraea: She was sea nymph of the rocks and well respected by sailors Phaino: She was the nymph of the shining of bright clouds Phiale: She was a young Oceanide and attendant of Artemis who offered refreshment from a pitcher or ‘water bowl’ Philyra: She was goddess of perfume and of writing who began paper making Pleione: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans Plexaure: She was the nymph of the ‘weaving breeze’ and linked to the wind nymphs Plouto: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans and personified the blessing of Wealth Polydora: She was a voluptuous nymph who brought many gifts Pronoia: She was the goddess of foresight and wife of Prometheus Prymno: She was the nymph of fair wind who gave her name to a large asteroid Psekas: She was one of the younger Oceanides, an attendent of Artemis and associated with rain-showers Rhanis: She was one of the younger Oceanides, an attendant of Artemis Styx: She was the nymph of the river Styx that flowed around Hades and associated with the Titans Telestoe: She was the nymph of the cools springs, also named for a moon of Saturn. She was an elder nymphwho was associated with the Titans and personified the blessing of Success Thoe: She was the nymph of associated with clouds and air Tyche: She was an elder nymph, a goddess of the heavenly clouds, who was associated with the Titans and personified the blessing of Good Fortune Xanthe: She was the nymph of the nymph of the golden clouds of sunsets and sunrises
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