Tityos
heroTityos was a giant whose attempt to assault Leto earned him one of the underworld's most graphic eternal punishments — two vultures feeding on his liver.
The Myth
Tityos, a son of Gaia, attempted to assault Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis. The twin gods killed him instantly with arrows. In the underworld, his body was stretched across nine acres while two vultures perpetually devoured his liver, which regrew each month. Odysseus saw him during his visit to the dead. His punishment mirrors Prometheus's but as pure punishment rather than noble defiance.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Tityos's punishment parallels Prometheus's eagle-and-liver torment — but without any of the glory or sympathy.
Explore Further
Apollo
godGod of light, music, poetry, and prophecy. Apollo embodied the Greek ideal of youthful masculine...
Artemis
godTwin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of...
Gaia
primordialGaia was the primordial Earth goddess, the first being to emerge after Chaos — mother of the...
Odysseus
heroThe cleverest of the Greek heroes, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is one of the greatest...
Prometheus
titanThe Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, earning eternal punishment....
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...