Greek mythology is filled with a cast of fascinating and memorable characters, and the hundred-handed ones, also known as the Hekatonkheires or Centimanes, are certainly among the most intriguing. According to myth, these powerful beings were the children of the primordial deities Uranus (the sky) and Gaea (the earth). Their names were Briareos, Cottus, and Gyges, and they were known for their immense strength and their hundred hands, which gave them their name.
The hundred-handed ones were born during a time of great upheaval in the cosmos. Uranus, who was the ruler of the universe, was a cruel and oppressive figure who kept his children, the Titans, locked away in the depths of the earth. Gaea, however, was determined to free her children and sought the help of her offspring, the hundred-handed ones, to do so.
With their incredible strength and numerous hands, the hundred-handed ones were able to aid Gaea in her fight against Uranus. In one version of the myth, they helped her to gather up a great stone, which she then used to castrate Uranus and overthrow him as ruler of the universe. In another version, the hundred-handed ones themselves fought against Uranus and helped to defeat him, allowing Gaea to take her rightful place as the mother of the gods.
After their victory, the hundred-handed ones were honored and revered as mighty deities in their own right. They were often depicted as fierce and powerful beings, with their hundred hands symbolizing their ability to accomplish great feats. In some myths, they were also associated with the sea, and were said to be able to control the waves and the tides with their great strength.
Despite their impressive abilities, the hundred-handed ones were not immune to the conflicts and rivalries that characterized the world of Greek mythology. In one myth, they were said to have been locked in a battle with the Titans, who sought to reclaim their power from the gods. The hundred-handed ones, however, were able to emerge victorious, solidifying their place among the most powerful deities in the pantheon.
Overall, the hundred-handed ones are a fascinating and memorable part of Greek mythology, known for their incredible strength and their role in the overthrow of Uranus and the establishment of the gods as rulers of the universe. Their enduring legacy continues to captivate and inspire people to this day.