'first') was an ancient Egyptian king who was associated with the island of Pharos, his residence in Homer's Odyssey.
In Book II of The History, the story is told of how Proteus rose to the throne of Egypt out of Memphis, succeeding Pheron as king.
Upon their arrival, Paris and his servants discovered a temple, in which the slaves realized it would be profitable for them to take refuge.
According to Euripides, Proteus was married to the Nereid Psamathe, had a son Theoclymenos, and a daughter Theonoe who was a gifted seer.
She hatches a plan which allows Menelaus to escape from the island, which includes the ambush of Proteus - who is described as being able to change his shape into various animals, plants, and substances.
In the dialogue Euthydemus, Proteus is referred to by Socrates as an Egyptian wizard who can wear different external images.
Socrates uses the story of Proteus to illustrate that just as he was able to deceive others by changing himself into different images, so can persons be deceptive in speech.