THEONOE (daughter of Thestor in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · a sea goddess and daughter of Proteus Egyptian character in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Proteus of Egypt
- In the sources
- 8 ancient passages
Theonoe, daughter of Proteus and Psamathe, was renowned as the best and most self-controlled sister.1,2 Born in the palace on Pharos, she received the gift of prophecy from her grandfather Nereus and was renamed from her infant name Eido when she reached marriageable age.1 Daughter of a Nereid goddess, she was the sister of Theoklymenos, the Dioskouroi, and Helen.2,1
Residing in the house where Helen stayed, Theonoe possessed the ability to know all things truly, including the designs of the gods regarding the present and future.3,4,1 She informed Helen that Menelaos was alive, roaming on countless voyages, and shipwrecked near the land with friends.5,3 Even when absent, she possessed knowledge of Menelaos's arrival, having predicted he would come when his suffering ended, though she left unsaid whether he would escape after arriving.4,6
Theonoe honored the commands of the gods and her father, and her brother had ordered her to report whenever Helen arrived in the land.2,7 Holding the power to decide whether to reveal their presence to her brother, she requested torches and fire to purify the air before entering.7 After the ritual, she asked for the household flame to be taken inside, acting with discretion regarding Helen's departure.7,2 She predicted that Zeus would hold a divine assembly regarding the situation, stating that Hera now wished to help Helen return home safely, while claiming Kypris wanted to ruin the journey to avoid being convicted.7 Despite being urged to stop trying to kill her sister, Theonoe remained the best and most self-controlled of her siblings.2
The codex facts behind this entry
Powers
Theonoe possesses the ability to know all things truly, including the designs of the gods regarding the present and future. Euripides, Helen 1-30 +3
In the myths
Theonoe informed Helen that Menelaos was alive, roaming on countless voyages, and shipwrecked near the land with friends. Euripides, Helen 1165-1205 +2
