Wikipedia
In Greek mythology, Phorcys ( Greek: , Phorkus) is a primordial sea god, generally cited (first in Hesiod) as the son of Pontus and Gaia. According to the Orphic hymns, Phorcys, Cronus and Rhea were the eldest offspring of Oceanus and Tethys. Classical scholar Karl Kerenyi conflated Phorcys with the similar sea gods Nereus and Proteus. His wife was Ceto, and he is most notable in myth for fathering by Ceto a host of monstrous children. In extant Hellenistic-Roman mosaics, Phorcys was depicted as a fish-tailed merman with crab-claw fore-legs and red-spiked skin.
In Greek mythology, Phorcys was a Phrygian ally of King Priam in the Trojan War. Phorcys appears in The Iliad as the leader of the Phrygians, a son of Phaenops. The Bibliotheca, however, refers to him as a son of Aretaon and brother of Ascanius, another Phrygian leader. Phorcys is mentioned among the Trojan allies whom Hector addresses with a speech in Book 17 of the Iliad. He was killed in battle by the Greek hero Ajax.
Phorcys is referenced in Pausanias' Description of Greece: the author explains that Phorcys was referred to as "shieldless" in the Iliad because he was wearing a two-piece corselet, which was thought to provide enough protection in the battle.
Phorcys may refer to:
- Phorcys (Trojan War), a hero of the Trojan War
- Phorcys, a primordial sea god in Greek mythology
- Phorcys (moon), moon of 65489 Ceto