Note 167 — THE THEOGONY.
George Chapman translation
Phorcys the mighty.] Homer calls him “the old man of the sea:” and gives precisely the same appellation to Proteus. The character of the latter varies only from that of Nereus in the quality of transforming himself into sundry shapes. This may have a reference to the great diluvian changes, varying the face of nature. The connexion of Phorcys and Ceto favours the supposition that these three deities are one and the same personage.
“The ark in which mankind were preserved was figured under the semblance of a large fish. It was called Cetos.” Bryant.
Cetos is the Greek term for a whale.