Learn About Achilles Through Pictures

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

Thetis was a sea nymph, specifically, a Nereid who inherited the ability to shape-shift. She helped (1) Hephaestus, when he was thrown from Olympus, (2) Zeus, when threatened by other gods, and (3) Dionysus, when he fled from Lycurgus. Poseidon and Zeus were both interested in Thetis until a prophecy revealed that a son born to her would be greater than the father. So instead of mating with the gods, Thetis was pressed to marry the Thessalian King Peleus. Thetis appears not to have been too happy with the arrangement and when Peleus came to take her away, she changed her shape, again and again. In time, she agreed to marry Peleus.

Another story has Thetis reject Zeus' offers out of loyalty to Hera. Arranging Thetis' marriage to Peleus was Zeus' revenge.

The son of the union of Peleus and Thetis was the greatest Greek hero of his generation, Achilles.

Previous

• Achilles and Ajax
• Genealogy of Achilles
• Peleus and Thetis - Parents of Achilles
• Achilles Kills Memnon
• Achilles and Patroclus
• Thetis Brings Armor to Achilles
• Achilles Kills Hector
• Bath of Achilles
• How Did Achilles Die?

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