Titanomachy
conceptThe ten-year war between the Titans led by Cronus and the Olympian gods led by Zeus, resulting in the establishment of the Olympian order.
The Myth
The Titanomachy lasted ten years, waged from Mount Othrys by the Titans under Cronus and from Mount Olympus by the younger gods under Zeus. The war was stalemated until Zeus freed the Hecatoncheires — Cottus, Briareus, and Gyges — and the Cyclopes from Tartarus, where Cronus had imprisoned them. The Cyclopes forged Zeus's thunderbolt, Poseidon's trident, and Hades's Helm of Darkness. Not all Titans opposed Zeus: Prometheus and Themis sided with the Olympians, as did Oceanus who remained neutral. The Hecatoncheires turned the tide, each hurling a hundred boulders at once. The defeated Titans were cast into Tartarus, guarded by the Hecatoncheires. Atlas received a unique punishment: Zeus condemned him to hold the sky on his shoulders for eternity at the western edge of the world.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The word "titanic" entered English meaning anything colossal, which is why the most famous ship in history was named RMS Titanic — invoking the raw power of the Titans. The name proved grimly prophetic: like the Titans who challenged the gods and were cast into the abyss, the ship that claimed to be unsinkable sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, killing over 1,500 people.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Helm of Darkness
conceptThe cap of invisibility crafted by the Cyclopes for Hades during the Titanomachy, later borrowed by...
Poseidon
godLord of the seas and brother of Zeus. Poseidon's moods shaped the oceans — calm seas for those who...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Atlas
titanThe Titan who was condemned to hold the celestial sphere on his shoulders for eternity. His name...
Cronus
titanKronos (Cronus) overthrew his father Uranus and ruled the Golden Age, but devoured his own children...
Hades
godRuler of the underworld and lord of the dead. Despite his fearsome reputation, Hades was not evil —...
Mount Olympus (Sacred)
placeThe highest mountain in Greece and mythological home of the twelve Olympian gods, whose...
Oceanus
titanThe great Titan who personified the vast river believed to encircle the entire world. Father of all...
Prometheus
titanThe Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, earning eternal punishment....
Prometheus (Titan)
titanPrometheus the Titan was the creator and champion of humanity whose gift of fire sparked...
Tartarus
placeThe deepest abyss beneath the earth, as far below Hades as heaven is above earth. Tartarus was the...
Hecatoncheires
creatureThe Hecatoncheires were three giants, each with a hundred hands and fifty heads — the most powerful...