Caeneus was originally Caenis, transformed into an invulnerable man. In poetry, Caeneus symbolises transformation and defiance of natural limits. His story explores identity, resilience, and the tragic consequences of hubris.

Caeneus presents one of mythology's most fascinating transformation narratives—born female as Caenis, she was raped by Poseidon who then offered her any gift; she requested transformation into an invulnerable man so she could never be violated again. As Caeneus, he became a formidable warrior who even challenged the gods' authority. His story culminates in death at the hands of centaurs who, unable to wound him, buried him alive by pounding him into the earth with trees. This myth engages themes of gender, trauma, invulnerability, and the limits of divine gifts. For students analyzing gender in mythology, Caeneus/Caenis represents a unique case of transgender transformation motivated by protection from sexual violence, raising complex questions about embodiment, power, and identity. The story appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses and influenced later literary explorations of gender fluidity. Modern scholars debate whether to use he/him or she/her pronouns when discussing this figure, reflecting contemporary engagement with transgender identities through classical material.