Metis was the one of the Okeanides, the personification of prudence, good council, planning, advice, craftiness and wisdom. She is the mother of Athena and first wife of Zeus before being eaten due to prophecy that a son bore from Zeus and herself would overthrow the former.
Parents[]
Spouse & Lovers[]
Zeus (Ex-Husband): Metis was Zeus's ally and helped him to overthrow his father Cronus by giving Cronus a medicine that caused him to vomit Zeus's siblings. Afterwards Zeus married Metis, though she reportedly was unwilling to be his wife and tried to escape, yet King of the gods apparently desired/loved her too much to give her up. However, whatever love he had for Metis was not enough to save her after he learnt she is destined to bear a son who would be next ruler of the universe. Desperate to retain his crown, Zeus devoured Metis before they could conceive their son.
Unnamed lover: While her foretold son by Zeus was never conceived, Metis did have other son, Porus, presumably before her marriage to the King of the gods. Identity of his father - Metis's lover or husband - is unknown. It is also possible that Metis bore him without father, as some goddesses (like Gaia and Hera) were able to become mothers without male partners.
Children[]
Porus - personification of contrivance; her son by an unidentified man or god. Porus appears in Plato's Symposium as father of Eros himself, according to a story attributed by the author to Socrates.
Athena - her daughter by Zeus, whom Metis bore after being swallowed by her husband. Metis provided Athena with armor and egida, however Athena appears to not care for her mother, as she never attempted to free her. Athena is also favourite child of Zeus and apparently shows him no resentment despite what he did to her mother.
Myth[]
Early History[]
Metis was born to Okeanos and Tethys. She was the first wife of Zeus, as he needed her good advice. She helped him during the Titanomachy, coming up with various plans for him.
After the War[]
Zeus had heard from his grandparents - Uranus and Gaia - or from his wife herself, that Metis would bear a son whom would overtake him once he grows. Zeus could not let this happen. In unknown way he deceived Metis (according to Hesiod) and managed to swallow her.
A child[]
Months later, Zeus was getting head splitting headaches. The Olympians tried to find out what was happening, but there was no use. Suddenly, his head split open and from inside emerged adult Athena, his and Metis's daughter, fully armored.
Ancient Text[]
From Oceanus and Tethys [were born] the Oceanides--namely yaea, Melite, Ianthe, Admete, Stilbo, Pasiphae, Polyxo, Eurynome, Euagoreis, Rhodope, lyris, Clytia, Teschinoeno, Clitenneste, Metis, Menippe, Argia.".
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| Related Articles : | Titanomachy • Olympians • Gigantes • Demigods | |
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