Cyclopes
The Cyclopes were gigantic one eyed
monsters. There were three of them representing thunder, lighting, and
the lighting bolt. They are named Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. They were
born to Gaea and Uranus. They were also the first smiths. When Cronus came
to power he imprisoned the Cyclopes in Tartarus. The were released by Zeus
and fought with him against the Titans. As a reward for their release the
Cyclopes gave Zeus his weapons of lighting and thunder. They continued
as his workers at Mount Olympus forging his thunerbolts
Arges was killed by Hermes while
he guarded Io for Hera
Apollo killed at least one of the
Cyclopes to retribution for Zeus killing his son Aesculapius.
Hecatoncheires
Hecatoncheires means "hundred handed".
They were gigantic and had fifty heads and one hundred arms each of great
strength. There were three of them: Briareus also called Aegaeon, Cottus,
and Gyges also called Gyes. They were born to Gaea and Uranus. Their mutual
hatered of Uranus caused him to force the Hecatoncheires back into Gaea's
womb. This parcipatated Gaea's rebellion against Uranus. When Cronus came
to power he imprisoned the Cyclopes in Tartarus. The were released by Zeus
and fought with him against the Titans. They were able to hurl huge boulders
as many as a hundred at a time against their opponents. One of them, Briareus,
served as Zeus's bodygaurd.
Giants
The Giants were generated from Uranus
blood resulting from his castration by Cronus. They became powerful enough
to try to unseat Zeus and the Olympians early in their rule. When the gods
won they imprisoned the Giants in Tartarus.
Ash Tree Nymphs
The Ash Tree Nymphs were generated from
Uranus blood resulting from his castration by Cronus.
Typhoeus
Typhoeus, was a fire breathing dragon
with a hundred heads that never rest. It was birthed by Gaea as a last
ditch effort to keep the Olympians from defeating her children the Titans.
It came close to succeeding, setting most of the gods to flight and capturing
Zeus. Hermes was able to free Zeus. Zeus was then able to dispatch Typhoeus
with his lighting bolts. Typhoeus is buried under Mount Etna in Sicily.
Cerberus
Cerberus is the three headed dog
with a dragon tail which guards the entrance to the underworld. Allowing
the dead to enter but, never leave. Fetching Cerberus was the last labor
of Heracles.
Sirens
The Sirens are sisters who lure sailors
to their death. The song of the Sirens is irrestable but, the they reside
beyound unpassable reefs which destroy the sailors boat when they try to
reach the Sirens. Among those tempted were Jason on the Argo and Odysseus.
Centaur
The Centaur's are half man, and half
horse. They have the body of a horse but, in place of the horse's head
the have the torso, head and arms of a man. Most are wild and savage, known
for lustfulness and drunkeness. The exception is the wise Centaur Chiron.
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