THE NEREIDES (Nereids) were fifty sea-nymphe daughters of Nereus the old man of the sea.

They were goddesses of the sea's rich bounty and protectors of sailors and fishermen, coming to the aid of those in distress. Individually they represented various facets of the sea from the salty brine, to the sea foam, sand, rocks, waves and currents, as well as the various skillspossessed by seamen.

The name Nereides means 'Daughters of Nereus' but also 'the Wet Ones' from nêros the Greek word for 'wet'.