Thetis

One of the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris; the wife of Peleus and the mother of Akhilleus (Achilles).

Thetis was wedded to Peleus (a mortal) as punishment for not entering the bed of Zeus; Thetis was taken by Peleus near Sepias, therefore, the entire shoreline near Sepias belongs to Thetis and the other Nereids.

Hera respected Thetis for her resistance to Zeus’ advances and protected Thetis’ son, Akhilleus, throughout the Trojan War; after Akhilleus was born, Thetis tried to make him immortal by cleansing him with nektar (nectar) and bathing him in fire but Peleus caught her putting the infant Akhilleus in the fire and, in his ignorance of Immortal affairs, went into a rage; Thetis, in frustration, threw Akhilleus to the ground, deserted Peleus and returned to her home under the Aegean Sea.

Thetis came to Akhilleus many times during the Trojan War and after the death of Akhilleus’ companion, Patroklos (Patroclus), compelled Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to forge new armor for Akhilleus.

For more detailed information on Thetis I suggest that you consult the Immortals section.

• Theogony, line 244 and 1006
• Argonautika, book 4, lines 865-884
• Histories, book 7, chapter 191
• Kypria, fragment 5