Palaimon, originally named Melikertes, was a minor, young sea god. His altar was a statue of him riding a dolphin. In Greek mythology, Melikertes and his mother incurred the wrath of Hera. So, they ran, jumped off a cliff into the sea for protection, where they became powerful as gods. Despite keeping the appearance of a young boy, Melikertes became known as Palaimon, a sea god who fed on the souls of sailors and pirates.