Ceto

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Greek deities
series
Primordial deities
Titans and Olympians
Chthonic deities
Personified concepts
Other deities
Aquatic deities

In Greek mythology, Ceto, or Keto (Greek: Κητος, Ketos, "sea monster") was a hideous aquatic monster, a daughter of Gaia and Pontus. The asteroid (65489) Ceto is named after her, and its satellite (65489) Ceto I Phorcys after her husband.

She was the personification of the dangers of the sea, unknown terrors and bizarre creatures. Eventually, the word "ceto" became simple shorthand for any sea monster. It is still used in this way - cetacean is a derivation. Her husband was Phorcys and they had many children, collectively known as the Phorcydes or Phorcydides.

Ancient Corinthian vase depicting Perseus, Andromeda and Ketos. Note the usage of Epsilon instead of Eta in ΚΕΤΟΣ, the employment of the letter San instead of Sigma in ΠΕΡΣΕΥΣ and ΚΕΤΟΣ.
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Ancient Corinthian vase depicting Perseus, Andromeda and Ketos. Note the usage of Epsilon instead of Eta in ΚΕΤΟΣ, the employment of the letter San instead of Sigma in ΠΕΡΣΕΥΣ and ΚΕΤΟΣ.

In Greek art Ceta was drawn as a serpentine fish. Ceto also gave name to the constellation Cetus.

The monster appearing as the Kraken in the film Clash of the Titans is closer to Ceto than to the Kraken.
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The monster appearing as the Kraken in the film Clash of the Titans is closer to Ceto than to the Kraken.

[edit] Consorts/Children

  1. Phorcys
    1. Echidna
    2. Gorgons
      1. Euryale
      2. Medusa
      3. Sthenno
    3. Graeae
      1. Deino
      2. Enyo
      3. Pemphredo
    4. Ladon
    5. Scylla
    6. Sirens
    7. Thoosa