Some writers say that he was the son of Pontus and Earth, some others of Poseidon and Canace -Aeolus' daughter- and others that he was the son of Oceanus and Tethys (Sea). He was one of the well-known gods of the sea and the lord and master of winds. He was considered to be an excellent craftsman and an experienced seer who had foreseen the misfortunes which were destined to occur after Helene's elopement by Pares. He was fair, truthful and gentle and people used to call him "The Old Man". Of Nereus and Doris -daughter of Oceanus- fifty daughters were born called Nereides .

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