The old sea god was also the one to inform him that his brother Agamemnon had died, and that Odysseus was stranded on Ogygia. Proteus also told Menelaus how to appease the said god so that he could finally come home. When Proteus realized that he was powerless against Menelaus’ grip, he then conceded to tell him who among the gods was against him. ![]() So Menelaus waited for Proteus to emerge from the sea for his afternoon slumber among his beloved seals, and captured him, even as Proteus thrashed and changed forms from an angry lion, a slippery serpent, a ferocious leopard, and a pig, to even a tree and water. Menelaus learned from Eidothea that when someone captured her shapeshifting father, Proteus would be forced to tell him whatever truths he wishes to know. In Homer’s Odyssey, Menelaus was able to capture the elusive god Proteus thanks to the help of the sea god’s daughter, Eidothea. Below are the significant parts of the stories in relation to the minor sea god. Whether or not one regards Proteus as King of Egypt or Old Man of the Sea, his story is most often connected to the story of the Odyssey and of Helen of Troy. Hence, most scholars believe that the Old Man of the Sea should not be confused with the Egyptian King, whose names are both Proteus. However, this Proteus in Euripides’ story of Helen’s tragedy is described as dead before the story begins. In this version, Proteus rose through the ranks to succeed King Pheron as pharaoh. This King Proteus was supposedly married to the Nereid Psamathe. This description can also be found in Herodotus’ version of the story of Helen of Troy. ![]() Stesichorus, a lyric poet from the 6th Century BCE, first described Proteus as an Egyptian King of either the City-state of Memphis or the whole of Egypt. Proteus is also known to have three children: Eidothea, Polygonos, and Telegonos. In these stories, he is said to prefer the appearance of the bull seal while looking after his sea cattle. Proteas was instructed by Poseidon to care for his army of seals in the sandy island of Lemnos. Proteus’ name means first, so many believe that Proteus is the eldest son of the Greek god of the sea Poseidon and the titan goddess Tethys. But capturing this particular Greek god is especially difficult because he can change his form at will. Proteus can’t tell a lie, meaning that any information he gives would be true. People revere him for this, and many Ancient Greeks attempt to look for and capture Proteus. If a person wished for Proteus to tell them their future, they would first have to bind him during his midday nap. However, the Greek historian says Proteus dislikes being a prophet hence he never volunteers this information. Homer also says Proteus is a prophet, who can see through time, reveal the past and see through the future. He was a direct subject of Poseidon which is why he served as the herdsman of Amphitrite’s flock of seals and other sea beasts. According to Homer, Proteus is the Old Man of the Sea. Homer’s story of Proteus says the sea god made a home for himself near the Nile Delta in the island of Pharos. It’s also common knowledge that Proteus can change his shape at will and is capable of assuming any form. While Proteus’ origins vary in Greek mythology, the only common belief is that Proteus is a sea god who rules over rivers and other bodies of water. Proteus is known for his elusiveness due to his ability to shapeshift, and only answered the queries of those who could capture him. ![]() However, in other sources, he’s depicted as the son of Poseidon. Called Old Man of the Sea by Homer, Proteus is believed to be a prophetic sea god who could tell the future. As one of the earliest sea gods in Greek mythology, Proteus is an important god in Greek mythology with many variations to his story.
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