Women, Weird and Wonderful: Thetis, Nereid-Mother of Achilles

In ancient times, female attractiveness was embodied by the Nereid-nymphs. So you’d think that supreme god Zeus would be quite interested. But since there was a prophecy that one of their sons, Thetis’ boy, would overpower his father, he tought it smart to keep his distance. For extra security, he ordained that Thetis should marry king Peleus, a mortal. Thetis wasn’t amused, and resisted with all her might.  But Peleus had taken advice from the wisest of all, the centaur Cheiron. “Just grab her and don’t let go, whatever happens!” Thetis shapeshifted some thirty times, and Peleus got bitten, scratched, hit and kicked, but he held on, and exhausted, she gave in. Their wedding was the social event of the century, with a “who’s who” of gods and celebrities queuing on the red carpet. Not invited was the goddess Eris, who then crashed the party with her “apple of discord”. Which laid the base for the infamous Trojan War, with the happy couple’s son Achilles in a starring role.

Peleus and Thetis, Votive Plaque Relief, British Museum, London, UK

Peleus and Thetis, Kylix (Vulci), Cabinet des Médailles, Paris, France

Did you know...

• It would have been Prometheus who warned Zeus about the prophecy involving Thetis' son.

• The wedding gifts for the couple were quite spectacular: Poseidon presented Peleus with two immortal horses (that would be used by Achilles in the Trojan war), Hephaistos crafted a knife, Aphrodite offered a bowl with an embossed Eros, Hera donated a cloak, Athena a flute, Nereus a basket of divine salt and Zeus fitted Thetis with the wings of the goddess Arke (taken away because Arke had sided with the Titans during the Titanomachy.)