zˈuːs ænd pəsˈaɪdən hɐdbɪn ɹˈaɪvəlz fɔːɹ θˈɛɾizᵻz hˈænd ɪn mˈæɹɪdʒ ʌntˈɪl pɹoʊmˈiːθɪəs, ðə fˈɔːɹθˈɪŋkɚ, wˈɔːɹnd zˈuːs əvə pɹˈɑːfəsi ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli ˈʌɾɚd baɪ θˈiːmiz, ɡˈɑːdəs ʌv dᵻvˈaɪn lˈɔː ðæt θˈɛɾiz wʊd bˈɛɹ ɐ sˈʌn ɡɹˈeɪɾɚ ðɐn hɪz fˈɑːðɚ.
Zeus and Poseidon had been rivals for Thetis's hand in marriage until Prometheus, the fore-thinker, warned Zeus of a prophecy (originally uttered by Themis, goddess of divine law) that Thetis would bear a son greater than his father.