Metis

Overview

Metis is a daughter of Oceanus and a goddess associated with resourceful intelligence. Hesiod 492–506 does not name her, attributing the reversal to Gaia's counsels and Zeus's skill and power. The two accounts remain separate contexts on one relationship rather than overwriting each other. Olympian Order expands her role from helper in the later war account to Hesiod's first wife and swallowed succession threat, keeping the source-specific functions separate.

Key facts

Relationships

• Zeushelps with a drug

  In Pseudo-Apollodorus, Metis helps Zeus by giving Cronus a disgorging drug.

• Zeustakes as first wife

  Hesiod names Metis as Zeus's first wife.

• Zeusswallows into himself

  Zeus deceives Metis with words and takes her into his body.

Story appearances

• The TitanomachyThe Oceanid who gives Cronus the disgorging drug in Pseudo-Apollodorus' account.

  The Oceanid who gives Cronus the disgorging drug in Pseudo-Apollodorus' account.

• Olympian OrderSwallowed first wife at the centre of a succession prophecy

  Swallowed first wife at the centre of a succession prophecy within the family, honours or council order that follows Zeus' victory.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 1.2.1: Metis' drug, ten-year war, Gaia's prophecy, Campe, three weapons, Titan imprisonment and division by lot
• Hesiod, Theogony, Lines 886–900: Metis, the succession prophecy and swallowing
• Hesiod, Theogony, Lines 918–929: the families of Leto and Hera and the births of Athena and Hephaestus
• Homeric Hymn tradition, Homeric Hymn to Athena, Lines 1–15: Athena emerges armed from Zeus's head