Prophecies can be dangerous things for those who tell of the future and of those whom the future is told about. In Greek mythology the ability to see into the future played an important role in the lives of many people, including the likes of Cassandra. The danger of having a prophercy foretold about you though is never more apparent than with the story of Metis.

Metis was a second generation Titan, born to Oceanus and Tethys, the siblings of Cronus, and as such is of a time before the emergence of Zeus as the all powerful god. The Titans, under the leadership of Cronus, ruled over the universe, although it has been described as the Golden Age of Greek mythology, a peaceful time where there was no war or famine. Being the daughter of Oceanus, Metis was also automatically classified as an Oceanid, the immortal spirit connected with a source of water.

The Golden Age though came to an end when Zeus rebelled against his father and lead his siblings and allies in a ten year war against his father and relatives. In essence the Titans, first and second generation, were on one side, whilst Zeus, his brothers and sisters, and the released prisoners of Tartarus were on the other. Oceanus though remained neutral during the war, as did most of the female Titans, and as a result Metis is not mentioned during the records of the Titanomachy.

The fame of Metis though grew after the end of the Titan War, and with the emergence of Zeus as ruler of the earth, Metis became associated with wisdom, and was given a prominent role within the pantheon of Greek gods. This role saw her become the first wife of Zeus, and therefore held the role that would eventually be taken up by Zeus’ third wife Hera.

Zeus though was told of the prophecy which decreed that the son of Metis would become stronger and more powerful than Zeus. This prophecy was in a similar vain which would see the water nymph Thetis given to a mortal rather than have her offspring be more powerful than his father, the offspring being Achilles. By the time that Zeus was told about this future though he had already lain with Metis, he tricked the Oceanid though into transforming herself into a fly which he promptly swallowed.

The swallowing of gods though often leads to further consequences, as can be seen by Cronus’ actions previously. Metis was imprisoned within Zeus, but she was already pregnant. Within her prison, Metis was not inactive and set to work in creating armour and clothes for her soon to be born child. This work though caused immense pain to Zeus, and it was a pain that was only released when Prometheus, or Hephaestus in some sources, took an axe to the head of Zeus. Thankfully for Zeus though the child that emerged from his head wound was not a son, but was instead the goddess Athena, the goddess who was to become patron of arts and wisdom. Metis though remained imprisoned for eternity with her role as Zeus’ wife taken up by Themis.

The confusing nature of Greek mythology does often put Metis in the role of Gaia during the uprising of Zeus. Traditionally it was Gaia who provided Zeus with the potion that forced Cronus to disgorge his siblings from his father’s stomach.

The name of Metis has been surpassed by her successor Hera, but her initial fame did put her on a level par with Zeus when it came to power and wisdom. The shift in Greek mythology though from when male and female gods were often placed as equals, to one where males were dominant, saw her role diminish.