Tethys is an ancient ocean that existed between the continents of Gondwana and Laurasia during the Mesozoic Era. It played a crucial role in shaping the Earth's geography and climate. Over millions of years, Tethys gradually shrank as the continents drifted apart, leading to the formation of the Mediterranean Sea and other bodies of water. In mythology, Tethys is also the name of a Titaness in Greek mythology, often associated with the nourishing flow of water. She was considered the mother of the rivers and the sea, symbolizing the importance of water in sustaining life on Earth.