Giants
Giants,a mythological race of monstrous appearance and great strength. According to Hesiod they were sons of Ge (Earth) from the blood of Gaia/Uranus which fell upon earth; he describes them as valiant warriors (Theogonia 185). Homer considers them a savage race of men who perished with their king Eurymedon (Odyssey 7. 59). The prevailing legend of the fight of the gods and the Giants was formulated in Archaic epics and was embroidered by many later writers. A substantial account is given by Apollodorus (1. 6. 1.). When the gods were attacked by the Giants they learned that they could win only if they were assisted by a mortal. They called in Heracles, who killed the giant Alcyoneus and many others with his arrows. Zeus, who led the gods, smote with his thunderbolt Porphyrion who attempted to ravish Hera; Athena killed...
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