Metis is an Oceanid nymph and the personification of counsel and cunning. She was the first wife of Zeus. Warned that her offspring would threaten his rule, Zeus swallowed her while she was pregnant with Athena.
Adapted from Wikipedia, "Metis (mythology)" · CC BY-SA 4.0
I.Mythology
Hesiod describes Metis as the wisest among gods and mortal men. Gaia and Uranus prophesied that she would bear first Athena and then a son who would overthrow Zeus; to prevent this, Zeus swallowed her.
Athena was later born from Zeus's head, fully armed. Apollodorus names Metis among the Oceanids and repeats the swallowing and birth.
AT A GLANCE
Greek nameMētis (Μῆτις)
Roman nameMetis
Typenymph
Domainscounsel and cunning · first bride of Zeus · mother swallowed whole
ParentageOceanus · Tethys
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