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Caeneus, a MythSource painting
Greek

Caeneus

01Identity

Caeneus in Greek tradition

Caenis, daughter of Elatus, was a Thessalian maiden who suffered violence from Neptune while walking alone by the shore. She asked not to remain a woman, fearing that the same harm could happen again. Her request answered the assault. As she finished speaking, her voice shifted into a male register, marking the change she had requested. This is the origin of Caeneus.

SourceThe Metamorphoses of Ovid (Henry T. Riley translation, George Bell & Sons, 1889): Book XII, Caenis becomes Caeneus, printed p. 422

Top questions

The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Caeneus

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Caenis becomes Caeneus

Caenis, daughter of Elatus, was known among Thessalian women for her beauty. Many suitors desired her, but she made no marriage ties. While she walked alone on the shore, Neptune used violence against her. Caenis then asked not to remain a woman, fearing she would suffer the same harm again. The request came after the assault and responded directly to it.

As her answer ended, her voice shifted into a male sound. The change in her speech showed that the request had transformed her, and she became Caeneus.

Caenis becomes Caeneus, a MythSource painting of the scene

2 sources· checked 2026-10-01

  1. 1The Metamorphoses of Ovid (Henry T. Riley translation, George Bell & Sons, 1889)T1
  2. 2The Metamorphoses of Ovid (Henry T. Riley translation, George Bell & Sons, 1889)T1

Also mentioned in

Stories elsewhere on MythSource that mention Caeneus, each on that figure’s page.