In Greek mythology, Peneus (Πηνειός) was a Thessalian river god, one of the three thousand Rivers (Potamoi), a child of Oceanus and Tethys[1]. The nymph Creusa bore him one son, Hypseus, who was King of the Lapiths[2][3], and three daughters, Menippe (mother of Phrastor by Pelasgus)[4], Daphne[5][6], and Stilbe[2]. He also had a son Atrax with Bura[7], and Andreus with an unknown consort[8]. Some sources state that he was the father of Cyrene[9][10], alternately known as his granddaughter through Hypseus. Daphne, in an Arcadian version of the myth, was, instead, the daughter of the river god Ladon[11][12][13].
Eros shot Apollo with one of his arrows, causing him to fall in love with Daphne. It was Eros's plan that Daphne would scorn Apollo because Eros was angry that Apollo had made fun of his archery skills. Eros also claimed to be irritated by Apollo's singing. Daphne prayed to the river god Peneus to help her. He changed her into a laurel tree, which later became sacred to Apollo - see Apollo and Daphne.