Ceto
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Greek deities series |
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Primordial deities | |
Titans and Olympians | |
Chthonic deities | |
Personified concepts | |
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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.
In Greek art Ceta was drawn as a serpentine fish. Ceto also gave name to the constellation Cetus.