CentiMani

A Greek Myth

Gaea (the earth) alone gave birth to Uranus (the Sky) and Uranus became Gaea’s mate, together they produced the three Cyclopes (Thunder, Lightning and Sheet-Lightning), the three Centimani (Hundred-handed) named Cotto, Briareo, and Gige, and the twelve Titans, a race of beautiful giants. The males where Oceanus, Coeus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Cronus (Time), and the females were Ilia, Rhea, Themis, Thetis, Mnemosyne and Phoebe.

Uranus hated and feared his powerful children and imprisoned them by pushing them into Tartarus (the deepest and darkest abyss on earth). Gaea and Cronus plotted against Uranus and over thrown him.

Cronus became the next ruler and ruled for many ages. He too imprisoned the Cyclopes and the Centimani in Tartarus. He married his sister Rhea and gave birth to many gods: Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, and Zeus. Uranus had prophesied that he would be overthrown by one of his sons. To avoid this, Cronus swallowed each if his children. Rhea was angered by the treatment of her children and when it was time to give birth to her sixth child she hide and gave birth to Zeus. She handed Cronus a stone wrapped in swaddling cloth to be swallowed. Zeus was put on earth to grow up on Crete.

Over time Rhea convinced Cronos to accept his son Zeus and allow his return to Mount Olympus as Cronus’ cupbearer. Zeus had slipped Cronos a special potion that caused him to vomit up the other five gods and the stone. The gods were so grateful they made Zeus their leader. And the struggle for power began...

Cronus would not give up his rule over the universe without a fight. Cronus and the Titans fought to retain power. Zeus was very clever and went to Tartarus to free the Cyclopes and the Centimani. The Cyclopes provided Zeus with lightening bolts. Zeus sent the Centimani to ambush the Titans with boulders. At the right time, the Centimani rained down hundreds of boulders with such fury the Titans thought the mountain was falling on them. They retreated and this gave Zeus his victory.

Zeus exiled the Titans to Tartarus and had the freed Centimani honored as watchful guards!