THE AUTOMATON TALOS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Talos was the protector of the island of Crete in Greek mythology, with Talos generally being named as one of the earliest automaton, or robots, mentioned in literature.
The Making of TalosThe most famous version of the Talos myth sees the gigantic, bronze automaton crafted by the metal working god Hephaestus with the assistance of the Cyclopes.
Talos was built at the request of the god Zeus, for he wished to leave a protector with his lover Europa, who he was leaving behind upon the island of Crete. Thus Talos was one of the three gifts presented to Europa before she married the king of Crete Asterion; the other gifts being Laelaps, the hunting dog, and a javelin that always hit its mark. Other sources say that Talos was crafted by Hephaestus as a gift for King Minos of Crete, the son of Zeus and Europa. Some stories tell of Talos being not a gigantic man, but an automaton in the form of a bronze bull, which is in keeping with the sacred nature of the bull upon Crete. Finally, some call Talos not an automaton at all, but the last survivor of the bronze age of man, the third age of man crafted by Zeus who were strong yet warlike. |
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Talos Protector of Crete
The role of Talos was the same no matter what the origin story though for Talos was the physical protector of the island of Crete; and in this role he would circle the island three times each day.
Dangers, normally in the form of pirates, would be dissuaded from approaching Crete as Talos would throw volleys of rocks at their ships. Anyone threat foolish enough to land upon Crete would be met with deadly force, for it was said that Talos would throw himself into a fire, heating himself up, before embracing the threat with his red-hot arms.
Dangers, normally in the form of pirates, would be dissuaded from approaching Crete as Talos would throw volleys of rocks at their ships. Anyone threat foolish enough to land upon Crete would be met with deadly force, for it was said that Talos would throw himself into a fire, heating himself up, before embracing the threat with his red-hot arms.
Talos and the ArgonautsTalos was said to have died when the Argonauts arrived at Crete seeking a safe harbour and sustenance. Before they could make landfall though, Talos started to throw bits of cliff at the Argo.
Talos’ death would come shortly afterwards although, the manner of his death varies between many different ancient sources. |
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In one version of the Talos myth, Medea hypnotised the bronze giant from the Argo, causing Talos to go mad, killing himself, or else the madness was caused when Medea fed Talos a concoction of herbs and potions.
Some say though that despite his outward invulnerability, Talos had a weakness for a vein carrying his life blood flowed from head to foot. At the end of this vein, be it at his head, or his ankle, was a bronze stud that kept his blood within him.
Some say that Medea removed this bronze stud, causing Talos to bleed to death, Medea having convinced Talos that she could make him immortal. Whilst others say that Poeas, the father of Philoctetes, shot away the stud with an arrow, or else there was no stud, but a thin bit of skin that was penetrated by the arrow of Poeas.
Some say though that despite his outward invulnerability, Talos had a weakness for a vein carrying his life blood flowed from head to foot. At the end of this vein, be it at his head, or his ankle, was a bronze stud that kept his blood within him.
Some say that Medea removed this bronze stud, causing Talos to bleed to death, Medea having convinced Talos that she could make him immortal. Whilst others say that Poeas, the father of Philoctetes, shot away the stud with an arrow, or else there was no stud, but a thin bit of skin that was penetrated by the arrow of Poeas.
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