Antaeus
Giant wrestler of Libya invincible while touching the earth, defeated by Heracles
The Legend of Antaeus
Antaeus was a giant who lived in Libya, the son of Poseidon and Gaia, the earth goddess. He challenged all passers-by to wrestling matches and was invincible because each time he was thrown to the ground, contact with his mother Earth renewed his strength. He decorated his father's temple with the skulls of those he had defeated. When Heracles passed through Libya, Antaeus challenged him. After several throws in which Antaeus sprang back stronger each time, Heracles realised the source of his power. He lifted the giant off the ground, held him aloft in a crushing bear hug, and squeezed the life out of him while his feet dangled helplessly in the air. This victory became one of Heracles' most celebrated feats.
Parents
Poseidon and Gaia
Symbols
Fun Fact
Lifting him off the ground to defeat him has become a metaphor for cutting someone off from their source of power
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Cercyon
🗡 heroNone recorded
King of Eleusis who forced travellers to wrestle him to the death until Theseus arrived
Alcyoneus
🐉 creaturegiants
The mightiest of the Gigantes, immortal within his homeland, who stole the cattle of Helios
Eryx
🗡 heroBoxing, City Foundation, Sicily
Sicilian king and champion boxer, son of Aphrodite, killed by Heracles in a wrestling match.
Hippomedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
One of the Seven against Thebes, a towering warrior known for his ferocity in battle
Ajax
🗡 heroThe immovable warrior who held the Greek line
The massive warrior from Salamis who carried a shield like a tower wall and held the Greek line when every other defender broke.
Idas
🗡 herostrength
Strongest of the Argonauts, who kidnapped his bride from Apollo and later died fighting the Dioscuri.
Peleus
🗡 heroheroism
King of Phthia, Argonaut, and father of Achilles who wrestled the shape-shifting sea goddess Thetis to win her as his bride.
Heracles
🗡 heroGreatest of the Greek heroes, demigod of strength
The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his extraordinary strength and his Twelve Labors.
Amycus
🗡 heroBoxing, brutality
Savage king of the Bebryces who challenged all visitors to a boxing match and was defeated by Polydeuces
Heracles
🗡 heroGreatest of all Greek heroes
The son of Zeus and Alcmene who performed twelve impossible labours and was the only hero to achieve full godhood after death.
Caenus
🗡 heroTransformation, Invulnerability, Gender
Lapith warrior transformed from a woman into an invulnerable man by Poseidon, killed by Centaurs pounding him into the earth.
Ancaeus
🗡 heroSeamanship, strength
Mighty Argonaut who took over as helmsman of the Argo after the death of Tiphys