In Greek and Roman mythology, the oceanids were sea nymphs, the daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. Apollodorus puts their number at 3000 while Hesiod states that there were only 41, still others suggest that there were a few as sixteen.

They were minor marine deities or goddesses often represented as mermaids, but also as human women wearing crowns of sea-weed and riding dolphins.

Also known as Ocean'ides and Oceanit'ides.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Mermaids

References

Carleton, George Washington. Carleton's Condensed Classical Dictionary. New York: G. W. Carleton & Co., 1882.

Murray, Alexander Stuart. Manual of Mythology. Philadelphia: Henry Altemus, 1897.