Nereus

These were the principal deities of fresh water, of the forests, mountains, plains, rocks, and caves. According to some legends, they were daughters of Zeus, but others say they were the children of the river god of the region in which they resided. Their number was unusually large, Ovid maintaining that there existed thousands, all most beautiful in appearance, and eternally young. Although of divine descent, they were not genuine goddesses. They were somewhere between deities and mortals. The Nymphs were usually distinguished in the Orestiades [nymphs of the wood], Naiads [water-maidens of the streams and springs], and Hamadryads [nymphs of the trees]. They had relationships with gods and mortals alike, and with the former begot the heroes and demigods. The Greeks attributed to the Nymphs the power of impregnation of nature that came about through the moistness they caused, and had healing powers that derived from the springs and streams, and deemed the Nymphs protectresses of the sites wherein they lived, such as streams, forests, and other abodes. Their worship was often associated with that of Pan. [p. 51]

[Kyriazis, Constantine D. Eternal Greece. Translated by Harry T. Hionides. A Chat Publication.]

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