Greek mythology
Proteus
Shape-shifting Old Man of the Sea who prophesies if held
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Parents
- Poseidon
- Group
- Divine
- Appears in
- Hephaestus: Fire and Revenge · The Odyssey
Listen to “Hephaestus: Fire and Revenge” in the app
Proteus is the elusive sea-god who herds Poseidon's seals and knows all things past and to come. To wring the truth from him you must seize and hold him fast as he becomes lion, serpent, water, and fire. Only when his shapes are exhausted will the Old Man of the Sea speak true.
Related figures
Real episode from the app
Hephaestus: Fire and Revenge
Chapter 1
00:00--:--
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Proteus?
- Proteus is the elusive sea-god who herds Poseidon's seals and knows all things past and to come. To wring the truth from him you must seize and hold him fast as he becomes lion, serpent, water, and fire. Only when his shapes are exhausted will the Old Man of the Sea speak true.
- Which mythology does Proteus belong to?
- Proteus belongs to Greek mythology.
- Which stories does Proteus appear in?
- Proteus appears in Hephaestus: Fire and Revenge, The Odyssey, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Proteus. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/proteusMLA
"Proteus." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/proteus.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Proteus." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/proteus.Listen to the stories of Proteus
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