The Hecatoncheires
Briareus, Cottus, and Gyges—the Hecatoncheires—are hundred-handed, fifty-headed giants born of Gaia and Uranus. Imprisoned for their terror, they later hurl mountains to turn the tide against the Titans.
Story beats
- 1) Uranus hides his monstrous sons in Tartarus; their size threatens cosmic order.
- 2) Zeus frees them during the Titanomachy, offering nectar and respect.
- 3) The hundred hands rain boulders like a storm, breaking Titan ranks.
- 4) Victorious Olympians set the giants as wardens of Tartarus, chains reversed.
Context & symbolism
The Hecatoncheires embody overwhelming force—storm and earthquake personified. Their story mirrors the danger of suppressing power: once unbound, their loyalty shifts to whoever recognizes their worth.
They are a reminder that alliances with the strange and feared can decide wars.
Motifs
- Monstrous siblings locked away
- Power unleashed in decisive war
- Many-handed storm imagery
- Guardianship after rebellion
Use it in play
- Free an imprisoned giant ally to win a siege.
- Negotiate with a hundred-handed jailer in the underworld.
- Survive a barrage of thrown mountains during divine warfare.
- Seal away a Hecatoncheir whose loyalty you cannot keep.
Comparative threads
- Imprisoned power: Fenrir bound, Kronos in Tartarus.
- Multi-limbed beings: Hindu asuras or deities with many arms.
Hooks and campaign seeds
- One of the giants tires of being a warden; recruit or calm them before Tartarus gates open.
- A cult tries to graft extra arms to imitate Hecatoncheires power.
- The giants’ mountain arsenal depletes; they demand tribute stones from cities.