Cyclopes

The Cyclops is a giant originating in Greek mythology. It is said to be humanoid in appearance, although the features of its face are considerably different. They were found in the various islands of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Some legends state that they also lived on some of the islands in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Cyclopes preferred mountainous habitats, where they could live in large caves. For this reason many migrated to the Balkans in Northern Greece, also known as the province or region of Macedonia (Makedonia).

The Cyclopes were one of several species of giants. The original three were said to come from the union of Gaea and Uranus. They were thrown into Tartarus when the Titans took control, but with the Olympian gods' rise to power they were released. In turn they provided Zeus with his thunderbolt, Poseidon with his Trident, and Hades with his Helm of Invisibility. The later Titans were descendants of Poseidon, and many of the Ancient Legends focusing on the Cyclopes are based around the latter group.

The sons of Poseidon had two main professions. They either helped work in his palace under the ocean's surface, or raised flocks of sheep on mountainous islands. They were sometimes hired out to work for Hephaestus, usually in volcanoes where they could forge various items more easily.

The Cyclopes were different from other giants in only a couple of things. The first was that the Cyclopes were not dumb or stupid. They were able to forge magnificent contraptions, and yet still humble enough to raise sheep and goats. The other was their face. Unlike most giants and creatures human in appearance they did not have two eyes. They only had one, that was located in the middle of their foreheads. This was their only real weakness, as if they lost that eye, they could not rely on another.

Unfortunately the humans lacked respect for the Cyclopes, as did many of the other Gods. They made them out to be dumb and violent, killing them for fun. Many "heroes" such as Odysseus killed Cyclopes to prove their strength and worth. With no other option the Cyclopes began to turn to violence, killing humans upon the first meeting. They soon lost the power of being able to construct magical items, and became a barbaric peoples, living in the hills with the goats and sheep. This had already occurred by the time Odysseus met Polyphemus.

The modern people believe that the Greeks believed Dwarf Elephant skulls were heads of Cyclopes. The skulls are twice the size of a human's, and a large nasal cavity could easily be mistaken for an eye socket. These skulls have been found on the islands of Crete and Sicily, and with the islanders lack of knowledge, it would not be obvious as to what they really were. Thus, the legends were born. There are many other theories as to the origins of the Cyclops, but it is likely we will never know. Make up your own mind.

For more information visit:

• http://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Cyclopes/cyclopes.html
• http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/cyclopes.html
• http://www.theoi.com/Titan/Kyklopes.html
• http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Cyclops
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclops