| Cyclops | |
| Other Names: | |
| Cyclopes (plural) | |
| Images: | |
| – | |
| "Round
eye." The Cyclops were giants described as having a large, round
eye in the middle of their foreheads, and though this
round eye was originally a third eye, later accounts cam
to interpret it as the Cyclopes' single eye. There are
two different groups of Cyclopes. The Cyclopes of the
first group were the offspring of Uranus and Gaia; the
second group consisted of blasphemous sphepherds living
on Sicily. The first group of Cyclopes were the offspring of Uranus and Gaia. Uranus detested all of his children because they were all deformed, except for the Titans which were beautiful and didn't have any deformities like the others. Along with their non-Titan brethren, the Cyclopes were thrown into the pits of Tartarus by Uranus. However, they were later freed by the Titans and, led by Cronus, fought against and defeated Uranus. Cronus was also disuted by his ugly brethren and threw them into Tartarus again. However, with the advent of Cronus' children, the Olympians, the Cyclopes were released from Tartarus and helped the new generation of gods in their battle against Cronus and the other Titans. The Cyclopes forged lightning bolts for Zeus, which helped him vanquish Cronus and the other Titans, who were subsequently thrown into Tartarus themselves. For helping the Olympians in their cause, Zeus didn't banish the Titans to Tartarus and made them his armorers and helpers of the smith-god Hephaestus. The Cyclopes were three in number: Brontes (Thunder), Steropes (Lightning), and Arges (Light). All three are needed to forge Zeus's lightning bolts. They are also involved in other aspects of metallurgy and have made the weapons and armor of many gods and heroes. Among their other works are Poseidon's trident and Hades's Helmet of Darkness, the helm given to Perseus that allowed him to become invisible. Works of the Cyclopes are very powerful and near indestructible. In later accounts, the term Cyclops was applied to a group of lawless shepherds living on the island of Sicily. In these versions, the Cyclopes were described with exactly one eye. They were encountered by Odysseus, and the hero and the sailors accompanying him on his voyage were taken captive by Polyphemus, their leader who was the son of Poseidon and and the nymph Thoosa. Polyphemus commenced eating the sailors, but he was blinded by Oddysseus. Subsequently, the crew made their escape, and Polyphemus called upon his father for revenge. Since then, Oddysseus and his crew were plagued by the sea god Poseidon. |