Greek Mythology By Mrs. Johnson Titanomachy Greek Mythology By Mrs. Johnson

The Titanomachy The war between the Titans and the Olympians for supremacy of the universe. Titan – early Greek god Machy - war

Zeus is successful Zeus had succeeded in tricking his father, Cronus and had released his brothers and sisters when his father drank a magical potion.

Zeus plots an overthrow When Zeus grew to maturity, he declared that he who was without office or right under Cronus should be raised to both office and rights. He wanted to rule!

He was careful to offer Hecate proper offerings in his pursuit for justice.

Hecate She is a Titaness known as the queen of night and the goddess of the cross-roads; her three faces are turned towards many directions, and her name was shrieked at night.

Zeus proved his ability to be a good ruler as he proceeded to build proper alliances.

Styx offers to assist Upon hearing that Zeus was about to wage war with the Titans, the Titaness Styx offered to join his side. She also brought her children: Nike, Zelus, Cratus, and Bia.

Nike Nike is victory and is often seen with Athena who never puts up with defeat.

Themis The Titaness Themis (of law and order) sided with Zeus because she knew that neither the brute nor the violent would prevail only the clever. Prometheus listened to her words, and sided with Zeus too.

Mt. Othrys was the home for the Titans. Mt. Olympus, the home of the youthful Olympians.

10 Years in Battle The war between the Titans and Olympians wages on for 10 years with the sides equally matched. Gaia went to Zeus to foretell that he will only win if he releases the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires.

HECATONCHEIRES and the CYCLOPES Tartarus Remember… Uranus had locked the HECATONCHEIRES and the CYCLOPES deep in Tartarus.

Zeus provided the HECATONCHEIRES nectar and ambrosia to revive their spirits and then spoke to them…

"Hear me, bright children of Earth and Heaven, that I may say what my heart within me bids. A long while now have we, who are sprung from Cronos and the Titan gods, fought with each other every day to get victory and to prevail. But show your great might and unconquerable strength, and face the Titans in bitter strife; for remember our friendly kindness, and from what sufferings you are come back to the light from your cruel bondage under misty gloomy through our counsels.”

Hecatoncheires

Cyclopes The Cyclopes gave the three sons of Cronus gifts in payment for their release.

Cyclopes

The Gifts Zeus received thunder, lightning, and thunderbolt. Poseidon received a trident. Hades received a helmet of invisibility.

It is told that during this great war the sea rang terribly, the earth crashed loudly, heaven was shaken, and Olympus reeled from its foundation.

The HECATONCHEIRES held huge rocks with their hundred arms, and Zeus hurled his lightning, while the earth burned and the woods crackled with fire. The streams of Ocean seethed, and the vapor lapped round the TITANS. A huge flame rose to the upper air. The glare of thunderstone and lightning blinded the eyes of the TITANS. It is said that it seemed as if earth and heaven came together in a mighty crash, amid earthquakes and dust storms.

The HECATONCHEIRES overshadowed the TITANS with the many rocks that their hundred arms hurled at them, and having defeated them, they chained them as far beneath the earth in Tartarus.

Zeus appointed the HECATONCHEIRES to guard the Titans, and in time Poseidon gave the Hecatoncheire Briareus, his daughter Cymopolea as his wife.

Having thus won victory, the gods cast lots for the sovereignty, and to Zeus was allotted the dominion of the sky, to Poseidon the dominion of the sea, and to Hades the dominion of the Underworld. It is also told that, as time went by, Zeus issued an amnesty and set the TITANS free except for Atlas, who still holds the sky.

The Gigantomachy Several years following the defeat of the Titans it is said that the Giants raised a rebellion.

The GIANTS, those creatures that rose from the blood of Uranus were serpent-footed, had a thousand hands, and being huge, they were also invincible in their might.

There were far more Giants than Titans. Though not truly immortal, it is said that the Giants could be killed but only by a god and an immortal at the same time.

Gaia intervenes Gaia was infuriated that the Titans had been locked away in Tartarus following the war. She prodded the Giants into their rebellion.

The Giants tried to hurl rock upon rock to build a mountain that would take them to the very top of Mount Olympus and harass the gods.

It was foretold that the Giants would gain Mt It was foretold that the Giants would gain Mt. Olympus unless a mortal were to intervene. Despite the many thunderbolts Zeus hurled, the Giants continued upward. Zeus put out a plea for Heracles and Dionysus to assist.

All the earth shook!

The battle raged on with the assistance of Heracles

Another son of Zeus, Dionysus brought with him the many Satyrs to help with the battle.

The battle’s end Through many years and many battles, the Olympians took control. Zeus managed to kill many Giants with his thunderbolts. Heracles killed the rest with his arrows.

Following the battle, Gaia buried her many dead sons beneath the mountains. Thousands of years later, it is still said that the bones of the Giants can still be found.

The End