Talos (Bronze Giant)
creatureTalos was a giant man made of bronze who guarded Crete by running around the island three times daily, hurling boulders at approaching ships.
The Myth
Forged by Hephaestus (or given by Zeus to Europa), Talos was a bronze automaton — one of the earliest robots in literature. He patrolled Crete's coast, heating himself red-hot and crushing intruders in a fiery embrace. He had a single vein running from neck to ankle, sealed by a bronze nail. When the Argonauts approached Crete, Medea used her sorcery — either enchanting him or convincing him to remove the nail — and his vital fluid drained out, destroying him.
Parents
Made by Hephaestus
Symbols
Fun Fact
Talos is the first robot in Western literature — a programmable bronze guardian predating the word "robot" by 2,500 years.
Explore Further
Argonauts
conceptThe Argonauts were the band of heroes who sailed with Jason on the Argo to retrieve the Golden...
Crete
placeCrete was the largest Greek island and the seat of the Minoan civilisation, home to King Minos, the...
Europa
heroEuropa was the Phoenician princess whom Zeus, in the form of a white bull, carried across the sea...
Hephaestus
godThe divine blacksmith of Olympus, god of fire and the forge. Despite being lame, Hephaestus created...
Medea
heroA powerful sorceress and princess of Colchis who betrayed her family to help Jason win the Golden...
Talos
creatureA giant bronze automaton built by Hephaestus to guard the island of Crete. Talos circled the island...