THE HECATONCHIRES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The ancient world, according to Greek mythology, was not just a land of mortals, but was inhabited with an assortment of deities, mythical creatures and monsters. One such group of monsters was collectively known as the Hecatonchires, a group of three gigantic brothers.
The Hecatonchires are referenced in many of the most famous ancient sources, including the Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus) and Metamorphoses (Ovid), although as with many of the well-known figures from Greek mythology the primary source tends to be the Theogony (Hesiod), the genealogy of the gods.
The Hecatonchires are referenced in many of the most famous ancient sources, including the Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus) and Metamorphoses (Ovid), although as with many of the well-known figures from Greek mythology the primary source tends to be the Theogony (Hesiod), the genealogy of the gods.
The Hecatonchires, sons of Gaia
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Hesiod tells of how the Hecatonchires are amongst the earliest beings in the universe, born in an era before the birth of Zeus; for the Hecatonchires were the sons of the primordial gods, Ouranos (Sky) and Gaia (Earth).
Ouranos had taken the position as supreme deity of the cosmos and had made Gaia his partner, and thus three sons were born to Mother Earth, Briareus, also known as Aegaeon, Cottus and Gyes. The Hecatonchires were therefore brothers to the three Cyclopes, and also the twelve Titans. |
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The name Hecatonchires is normally translated as “hundred handed”, and this is one of the normal features attributed to the Hecatonchires; other characteristics were their gigantic stature, and they were occasionally said to each have had 50 heads. The Hecatonchires were probably the personifications of gigantic storms, tsunamis and earthquakes.
The HEcatonchires Imprisoned
Soon after they were born though, Ouranos saw the power and strength of his own children, and fearing that they might be a threat to his position as supreme deity, Ouranos decided to imprison them.
Prison for the Hecatonchires would prove to be Tartarus, the hell pit of the earth, the most famous prison of Greek mythology. For the same reason the brothers of the Hecatonchires, the Cyclopes, would also be imprisoned within Tartarus.
Ouranos did have a reason to be fearful as his partner Gaia was plotting against him, for the imprisonment of her sons was causing her both physical and mental pain; Tartarus being located deep in the bowels of the earth. Gaia found willing allies in her plot in the form of her other children by Ouranos, the Titans.
Cronus would wield an adamantine sickle to castrate Ouranos, as the other male Titans held their father down. A castrated Ouranos would lose much of his power, and so Cronus took up the position of supreme deity.
Cronus proved to be no more secure in the position than his father had been, for he was as afraid of the Hecatonchires, and the Cyclopes, as Ouranos had been. Thus the Hecatonchires were not released by Cronus, but instead the Titan added a prison guard to their prison in the form of the dragon Campe.
Prison for the Hecatonchires would prove to be Tartarus, the hell pit of the earth, the most famous prison of Greek mythology. For the same reason the brothers of the Hecatonchires, the Cyclopes, would also be imprisoned within Tartarus.
Ouranos did have a reason to be fearful as his partner Gaia was plotting against him, for the imprisonment of her sons was causing her both physical and mental pain; Tartarus being located deep in the bowels of the earth. Gaia found willing allies in her plot in the form of her other children by Ouranos, the Titans.
Cronus would wield an adamantine sickle to castrate Ouranos, as the other male Titans held their father down. A castrated Ouranos would lose much of his power, and so Cronus took up the position of supreme deity.
Cronus proved to be no more secure in the position than his father had been, for he was as afraid of the Hecatonchires, and the Cyclopes, as Ouranos had been. Thus the Hecatonchires were not released by Cronus, but instead the Titan added a prison guard to their prison in the form of the dragon Campe.
The Hecatonchires Released and the Titanomachy
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Imprisonment for the Hecatonchires would not prove to be eternal, but they did have to wait many years until Cronus’ own son Zeus rebelled against him.
Zeus had already released his own siblings from their imprisonment, but was then told by Gaia that the only way that he could be victorious against the Titans was to release his uncles, the Hecatonchires and the Cyclopes from their imprisonment. Thus, Zeus descended to the depths of Tartarus, and there the Greek god encountered and killed Campe, allowing the Hecatonchires to taste freedom again. The Cyclopes would famously craft the weapons wielded by Zeus and his allies, but the Hecatonchires played a war active role in the Titanomachy, joining Zeus on the front-line of the fight. The strength of the Hecatonchires came in useful, for the giants could each lift up 100 mountain sized rocks, unleashing a barrage of rocks against the Zeus. After ten years of fighting the Titanomachy came to an end, and with the help of the Hecatonchires, Zeus would prevail. The Hecatonchires RewardedFor their assistance in the defeat of the Titans the Hecatonchires were rewarded.
Poseidon offered his own daughter Cymopoleia to Briareus, and so Hecatonchire and nymph married a made a home for themselves in a palace beneath the surface of the Aegean Sea. Similarly, Cottus and Gyes also received magnificent palaces, although theirs were said to be found in the domain of Oceanus rather than Poseidon. |
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The Hecatonchires were also given a new role in the cosmos, and were made the guards of Tartarus, and so former prisoners would become guards for the Titans imprisoned within Tartarus.
Briareus in Greek Mythology
The Hecatonchires are rarely mentioned after the events of the Titanomachy, although Briareus appears a couple of times as individual in later Greek myths.
The first time Briareus would come to the rescue of Zeus, when Poseidon, Athena and Hera were plotting against him. The Naiad Thetis became aware of the plot against Zeus, and so enlisted the help of Briareus, who left his palace and stood at the side of Zeus; the mere presence of the Hecatonchire by the side of Zeus was enough to dissuade the plotters from following through with their plans.
Briareus also acted as impartial judge when a dispute arose between Helios and Poseidon; both gods were vying for the city of Corinth, to determine which of them would be worshipped by the populace. Briareus simply divided the worship from Corinth, so that Poseidon would receive the Isthmus of Corinth, whilst the high ground of the city around the Acrocorinth became sacred to Helios.
The first time Briareus would come to the rescue of Zeus, when Poseidon, Athena and Hera were plotting against him. The Naiad Thetis became aware of the plot against Zeus, and so enlisted the help of Briareus, who left his palace and stood at the side of Zeus; the mere presence of the Hecatonchire by the side of Zeus was enough to dissuade the plotters from following through with their plans.
Briareus also acted as impartial judge when a dispute arose between Helios and Poseidon; both gods were vying for the city of Corinth, to determine which of them would be worshipped by the populace. Briareus simply divided the worship from Corinth, so that Poseidon would receive the Isthmus of Corinth, whilst the high ground of the city around the Acrocorinth became sacred to Helios.
Briareus - Kupferstich (1795) von Tommaso Piroli (1752 – 1824) - PD-life-70
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Colin Quartermain - The Hecatonchires - 2nd April 2017