Story Summary
Explore the myth of The Hundred-Handed Ones, the monstrous Hecatoncheires whose incredible strength helped Zeus and the Olympians defeat the Titans in battle.
Before the reign of the Olympians, Gaia and Uranus birthed three giants of terrifying proportions: Briareus, Cottus, and Gyes. Known as the Hecatoncheires, each possessed fifty heads and a hundred powerful arms. Their father, Uranus, was so repulsed and threatened by their monstrous forms that he imprisoned them deep within the bowels of Tartarus. For eons, they languished in the dark, forgotten by the world above. However, when the Great War between the Titans and the Olympians reached a stalemate, Zeus received a prophecy from Gaia. He descended into the underworld, slew the jailer Campe, and freed the Hundred-Handed Ones. In gratitude, they joined the battle. Standing upon the cliffs of Olympus, they rained down three hundred boulders at once, a relentless barrage that shattered the Titans' ranks. Their overwhelming strength secured Zeus’s victory, and in the aftermath, they were appointed as the eternal guardians of the bronze gates of Tartarus, ensuring their former captors would never escape.
The Moral
True power is often found in the places we fear to look, and those we marginalize may hold the key to our greatest victories.
“The earth trembled not from the thunder of the gods, but from the three hundred hands that cast the weight of mountains.”
Fun Fact
In the Iliad, Homer mentions that even the gods of Olympus feared Briareus; when Hera and Poseidon tried to overthrow Zeus, the sea nymph Thetis summoned Briareus to scare the rebels into submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Hundred-Handed Ones?
The story suggests that strength and value are not always found in conventional beauty. It teaches that by liberating and respecting those who are different or feared, we can find the allies necessary to overcome impossible odds.
Who are the three Hundred-Handed Ones?
The three giants are named Briareus (the Vigorous), Cottus (the Striker), and Gyes (the Big-Limbed). They are the siblings of the Titans and the Cyclopes, born to the primordial deities Uranus and Gaia.
Why did Uranus imprison the Hecatoncheires?
Uranus was a prideful ruler who found his offspring's appearance—fifty heads and a hundred arms—to be monstrous and loathsome. Fearing their immense physical power would challenge his authority, he cast them into the abyss of Tartarus.
How did the Hecatoncheires help Zeus win the war?
During the Titanomachy, Zeus freed them from Tartarus on the advice of Gaia. Their unique physiology allowed them to throw hundreds of massive rocks with such speed and force that they overwhelmed the Titans, ending the ten-year conflict.
Where did the Hecatoncheires go after the Titanomachy?
After the Titans were defeated and cast into Tartarus, the Hecatoncheires volunteered or were appointed to serve as their jailers. They reside at the gates of the underworld to ensure the Titans never rise again to threaten the gods.
What does the name Hecatoncheires mean?
The name 'Hecatoncheires' is derived from the Ancient Greek words 'hekaton,' meaning hundred, and 'cheir,' meaning hand. This literally translates to 'the hundred-handed ones,' describing their most defining physical trait.