Editing Cetus (mythology)

{{Short description|Sea monster in Greek mythology}}
[[File:Loutrophoros con Perseo e Adromeda, inv. 19.M325-1.7 - Marta -Mitomania (12).jpg|thumb|Ancient vase motif depicting the Greek hero [[Perseus]] fighting a Cetus sea serpent.]]
[[File:Corinthian Vase depicting Perseus, Andromeda and Ketos.jpg|thumb|Ancient Corinthian vase depicting [[Perseus]], [[Andromeda (mythology)|Andromeda]] and Ketos (Names are spelled in the [[Archaic Greek alphabets#Corinthian|archaic Corinthian]] variant of the [[Greek alphabet]]).]]
[[File:Reggio calabria museo nazionale mosaico da kaulon.jpg|thumb|Ancient Greek mosaic in [[Caulonia (ancient city)|Kaulon]] of a cetus sea serpent.]]

In [[Greek mythology]], a '''Cetus''' ({{langx|grc|Κῆτος|Kêtos}}) is a large sea monster. [[Perseus]] slew a cetus to save [[Andromeda (mythology)|Andromeda]] from being sacrificed to it. Later, before the [[Trojan War]], [[Heracles]] also killed one to rescue [[Hesione]]. The term [[cetacean]] (for whale) derives from ''cetus''. In [[Greek art]], ''ceti'' were depicted as serpentine fish. The name of the mythological figure [[Ceto (mythology)|Ceto]] is derived from ''kētos''. The name of the [[constellation]] [[Cetus]] also derives from this word.

== Etymology ==
In [[Ancient Greek]] '''''ketos''''' ({{lang|grc|κῆτος}}, plural ''kete/ketea'', {{lang|grc|κήτη/κήτεα}}<ref name=sheldon-williams/>), [[Latinisation of names|Latinized]] as '''''cetus''''' (pl. ''ceti'' or ''cete'' = ''cetea''<ref name=hunter/>), is any huge [[sea monster]].<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkh%3Dtos "κῆτος"] in Liddell, Henry and Robert Scott. 19406. ''A Greek-English Lexicon. Revised by H.S. Jones and R. McKenzie.''. Oxford: Clarendon Press.</ref>

==Depictions==
A cetus was variously described as a sea monster or [[sea serpent]]. Other versions describe a cetus as a sea monster with the head of a wild boar<ref>John K. Papadopoulos, Deborah Ruscillo, 2002, A Ketos in Early Athens: An Archaeology of Whales and Sea Monsters in the Greek World, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 106, No. 2 (Apr., 2002), Archaeological Institute of America</ref><ref name=Fontenrose/> or greyhound and the body of a whale or a dolphin with divided, fan-like tails. Ceti were said to be colossal beasts the size of a ship, their skulls alone measuring {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in length, their spines being a cubit in thickness, and their skeletons taller at the shoulder than any elephant.<ref name=Fontenrose/>

There are notable physical and mythological similarities between a cetus and a drakōn (the [[dragons in Greek mythology]]), and, to a lesser extent, other monsters of Greek myth, such as [[Scylla]], [[Charybdis]], and [[Medusa]] and her [[Gorgon]] sisters.<ref name=Drakon>Daniel Ogden, 2013, Drakon: Dragon Myth and Serpent Cult in the Greek and Roman Worlds,Drakon: Dragon Myth and Serpent Cult in the Greek and Roman Worlds, ''Fights with Kētē, Sea-Serpents'', pp.116-147, [[Oxford University Press]]</ref><ref name=Fontenrose/><ref>Sharon Khalifa-Gueta, 2018, [https://www.athensjournals.gr/mediterranean/2018-4-4-1-Khalifa-Gueta.pdf The Evolution of the Western Dragon] (PDF), pp.265-290, Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies, Volume 4, Issue 4, Center for European and Mediterranean Affairs, Athens Institute for Education and Research</ref>

==Greek mythology==
[[File:Ritual Tray with a Nereid (Sea Nymph) and a Cherub Riding a Sea Monster (Ketos) LACMA M.2003.70.jpg|thumb|Ritual [[stone palette]] a [[Nereid]] (Sea Nymph) and a Cherub riding a Sea Monster (Ketos). [[Gandhara]].]]
Cetus are often depicted fighting Perseus or as the mount of a [[Nereid]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Boardman |first=John |date=2015 |title=The Greeks in Asia |publisher=Thames and Hudson |isbn=978-0500252130}}</ref>

Queen [[Cassiopeia (Queen of Ethiopia)|Cassiopeia]] boasted that she and her daughter [[Andromeda (mythology)|Andromeda]] were more beautiful than the [[Nereid]]s, which invoked the wrath of [[Poseidon]] who sent the [[sea monster]] Cetus to attack [[Ethiopia (mythology)|Æthiopia]]. Upon consulting a wise [[oracle]], King [[Cepheus, King of Aethiopia|Cepheus]] and Queen Cassiopeia were told to sacrifice Andromeda to the Cetus. They had Andromeda chained to a rock near the ocean so that the cetus could devour her. After finding Andromeda chained to the rock and learning of her plight, [[Perseus]] managed to slay the Cetus when the creature emerged from the ocean to devour her. According to one version, Perseus slew Cetus with the [[harpe]] lent to him by [[Hermes]]. According to another version, he used [[Medusa]]'s head to [[Petrifaction in mythology and fiction|turn the sea monster to stone]].

In a different story, [[Heracles]] slew a Cetus to save [[Hesione]].<ref>Perseus: [[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]] [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.4.3&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022 2.4.3]. Heracles: [[Homer]] ''[[Iliad]]'' 21.441, Apollodorus [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+2.5.9&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022 2.5.9].</ref>

A Cetus had also been portrayed to support [[Ino (Greek mythology)|Ino]] and [[Melicertes]] when they threw themselves into the sea<ref>[[Leveson Venables-Vernon-Harcourt]], 1838, The doctrine of the Deluge; vindicating the scriptural account from the doubts cast upon it, Vol.1, p.385</ref> instead of a [[dolphin]] to carry [[Palaemon (Greek mythology)|Palaemon]].

In both cases, the ruler annoyed [[Poseidon]].

==Etruscan mythology==
In [[Etruscan mythology]], the Cetea were regarded as [[psychopomps]], being depicted frequently on sarcophagi and urns, along with dolphins and [[Hippocampus (mythology)|hippocamps]].<ref>[[Nancy Thomson de Grummond]], 2006, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History, and Legend, ''The Journey to the Afterlife'', p.212, [[University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology]]</ref>

Furthermore, the Etruscan deity [[Nethuns]] is sometimes shown wearing a headdress depicting a Cetus.<ref>One of the [[Etruscan dodecapolis]], in northern [[Etruria]].</ref>

==Bible and Jewish mythology==
===The ''tannin'' sea monsters===
The monster [[Tannin (monster)|tannin]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] has been translated as Greek ''kētos'' in the [[Septuagint]], and ''cetus'' in the [[Latin Vulgate]].

''Tanninim'' ({{lang|he|תַּנִּינִים}}) (-im denotes Hebraic plural) appear in the Hebrew [[Book of Genesis]],<ref name=gen>{{bibleref|Gen.|1:21|HE}}.</ref> [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]],<ref>{{bibleref|Exod.|7:9–10:12|HE}}.</ref> [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]],<ref>{{bibleref|Deut.|32:33|HE}}.</ref> [[Psalms]],{{refn|{{bibleref|Ps.|74:13|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Ps.|91:13|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Ps.|148:7|HE}}, and possibly {{bibleverse-nb||Ps.|44:20|HE}}.<ref name=heider-dddb-tannin/>}} [[Book of Job|Job]],<ref>{{bibleref|Job|7:12|HE}}.</ref> [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]],<ref>{{bibleref|Ezek.|29:3}} & {{bibleverse-nb||Ezek.|32:2|HE}}.</ref> [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]],<ref>{{bibleref|Isa.|27:1|HE}} & {{bibleverse-nb||Isa.|51:9|HE}}.</ref> and [[Book of Jeremiah|Jeremiah]].<ref>{{bibleref|Jer.|51:34|HE}}.</ref> They are explicitly listed among the creatures created by [[Elohim|God]] on the [[Genesis creation narrative#Fifth day|fifth day]] of the [[Genesis creation narrative]],<ref name=gen/> [[Bible translations|translated]] in the [[King James Version]] as "great [[whale]]s".<ref>{{bibleref|Gen.|1:21|KJV}} ([[King James Version|KJV]]).</ref> The Septuagint renders the original Hebrew of Genesis 1:21 (''hattanninim haggedolim'') as {{lang|grc|κήτη τὰ μεγάλα}} (''kētē ta megala'') in Greek, and this was in turn translated as ''cete grandia'' in the Vulgate. The tannin is listed in the [[Book of Isaiah#Summary|apocalypse of Isaiah]] as among the sea beasts to be slain by [[Yahweh]] [[Jewish eschatology|"on that day"]],<ref>{{bibleref|Isa.|27:1|HE}}.</ref> translated in the King James Version as "the [[dragon]]".<ref>{{bibleref|Isa.|27:1|KJV}} ([[King James Version|KJV]]).</ref>{{refn|group=n|This passage in [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]] directly parallels another from the earlier Baal Cycle. The Hebrew passage describing the tannin takes the place of a Ugaritic one describing "the encircler"<ref name=barker/> or "the mighty one [[seven-headed serpent|with seven heads]]" (''šlyṭ d.šbʿt rašm'').<ref name=uehlinger/> In both the Ugaritic and Hebrew texts, it is debatable whether three figures are being described or whether the others are epithets of [[Lotan]] or [[Leviathan]].}}

===Conflation with ''Leviathan'' and ''Rahab''===
In [[Jewish mythology]], Tannin is sometimes conflated with the related sea monsters [[Leviathan]] and [[Rahab (Egypt)|Rahab]].<ref name=heider-dddb-tannin/> Along with Rahab, "Tannin" was a name applied to [[ancient Egypt]] after [[the Exodus]] to [[Canaan]].<ref>{{harvp|Heider|1999}} "{{URL|1=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCkRz5pfxz0C&pg=PA836|2=Tannîn}}", p. 836</ref> [[Joseph Eddy Fontenrose]] noted that "cetus" was a counterpart of [[Tiamat]]-based Medusa, and was modelled after [[Yam (god)|Yam]] and [[Mot (god)|Mot]] and Leviathan.<ref name=Fontenrose>[[Joseph Eddy Fontenrose]], 1974, [[Python (mythology)|Python]]: A Study of Delphic Myth and Its Origins, pp.289-294, [[Canaveral Press|Biblo and Tannen Publishers]]</ref>

===Jonah's "great fish"===
In [[Jonah]] 2:1 (1:17 in English translation), the Hebrew text reads ''dag gadol'' ({{lang|he|דג גדול}}), which literally means "great fish". The [[Septuagint]] translates this phrase into Greek as ''mega kētos'' ({{lang|grc|μέγα κῆτος}}). This was at the start of more widespread depiction of real whales in Greece and ''kētos'' would cover proven whales, sharks and the old meaning of curious sea monsters. [[Jerome]] later translated this phrase as ''piscis grandis'' in his Latin [[Vulgate]]. However, he translated the Greek word ''kētos'' as ''cetus'' in [[Gospel of Matthew]] 12:40. The English opts for the former: ''"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."''<ref>{{URL|1=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A40&version=NIV|2=Matthew 12:40}} ([[New International Version|NIV]])</ref>

==In other cultures==
Art historian [[John Boardman (art historian)|John Boardman]] conjectured that images of the ''kētos'' in Central Asia influenced depictions of the [[Chinese Dragon]] and Indian [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]]. Boardman suggested that after contact with [[Silk Road]] images of a ''kētos'', the Chinese dragon appeared more reptilian and shifted head-shape;<ref>{{cite book |last=Boardman |first=John |authorlink=John Boardman (art historian) |date=2015 |title=The Greeks in Asia |publisher=Thames and Hudson |isbn=978-0500252130}}</ref> the [[Pig dragon]] with the head of a boar<ref>[[National Gallery of Art]], [http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/china1999/037_010.htm "Jade coiled dragon, Hongshan Culture (c. 4700–2920 B.C.)"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313003502/http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/china1999/037_010.htm |date=2007-03-13}}, Washington, D.C., Retrieved on 09-10-2021.</ref> compared to the reptilian head of modern dragons that of a [[camel]].

==Ships and sailing==
''Cetus'' or ''megakētēs'' (μεγακήτης) is commonly used as a ship's name<ref>The Kosmos Society, 2019, [https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/the-idealized-ship-part-2-huge-hollow-and-swallowing/ The Idealized Ship | Part 2: Huge, hollow and swallowing], [[Center for Hellenic Studies]], [[Harvard University]]</ref> or [[Figurehead (object)|figurehead]] denoting a ship unafraid of the sea or a ruthless pirate ship to be feared. Cetea were widely viewed as misfortune or bad omen by sailors widely influenced by the Mediterranean traditions such as the bringer of a great storm or general harbinger. Lore and tales associated it with lost cargo and being swept off course, even pirates being allied with such creatures so as to become [[taboo]] aboard vessels.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==See also==
* [[Ketu (mythology)]]
* [[Makara]]
* [[Kraken]]
* [[Tannin (monster)]]
* [[Black Tortoise]] - Cetus and the Black Tortoise correspond in [[astrology]], as both creatures possess affinities to water and travel in the underworld to guide people<ref>[[National Museum of Korea]], 2007, [https://www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/exhiSpecialTheme/view/current?exhiSpThemId=3542 Black Tortoise and Serpent, the Guardian Deity of the North]</ref> (see also: [[Cetus in Chinese astronomy]])

==Notes==
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==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name=barker>{{citation |last=Barker |first=William D. |title=Isaiah's Kingship Polemic: An Exegetical Study in Isaiah 24–27 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXRZJlN8BbwC |contribution=Litan in Ugarit  |contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXRZJlN8BbwC&pg=PA152 |date=2014 |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |location=Tübingen |page=152 <!--151–167-->|isbn=978-3-16-153347-1 }}</ref>

<ref name=heider-dddb-tannin>{{citation |last=Heider |first=George C. |contribution=Tannîn |contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCkRz5pfxz0C&pg=PA834 |editor-last=Toorn |editor-first=Karel van der |editor-link=Karel van der Toorn |editor2-last=Becking |editor2-first=Bob |editor3-last=Horst |editor3-first=Pieter Willem van der |editor3-link=Pieter Willem van der Horst |display-editors=0 |title=[[Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible|Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible, ''2nd ed.'']] |location=Grand Rapids |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |date=1999 |pages=835–836}}</ref>

<ref name=hunter>{{citation|editor-last=Sheldon-Williams |editor-first=I. P. |editor-link=<!--I. P. Sheldon-Williams--> |others= L. Bieler. |title=The Theory and Practice of Latin Grammar |publisher=R. Groombridge & Sons |year=1847 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zOsDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA22 |page=22}}</ref>

<ref name=sheldon-williams>{{citation|editor-last=Sheldon-Williams |editor-first=I. P. |editor-link=<!--I. P. Sheldon-Williams--> |others= L. Bieler. |title=Johannis Scotti Erivgenae Periphyseon (De Divisione Naturae) Liber Tertius |series=Scriptores Latini Hiberniae Volume XI |year=1981 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dtYGAQAAIAAJ&q=plural |page=305}}</ref>

<ref name=uehlinger>{{citation |last=Uehlinger |first=C. |contribution=Leviathan |contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCkRz5pfxz0C&pg=PA5121 |editor-last=Toorn |editor-first=Karel van der |editor-link=Karel van der Toorn |editor2-last=Becking |editor2-first=Bob |editor3-last=Horst |editor3-first=Pieter Willem van der |editor3-link=Pieter Willem van der Horst |display-editors=0 |title=[[Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible|Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible, ''2nd ed.'']] |location=Grand Rapids |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |date=1999 |page=512<!--511–515--> }}</ref>

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==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Ketea.html Theoi Project - Ketea]

[[Category:Dragons in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Greek sea gods]]
[[Category:Mythological aquatic creatures]]
[[Category:Monsters in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Sea monsters]]
[[Category:Fish in religion]]
[[Category:Andromeda (mythology)]]
[[Category:Snakes in religion]]
[[Category:Sea serpents]]
[[Category:Mythological hybrids]]