Alcyoneus
King of the Thracian Giants
Domains:
Thracian Giant
Category:
5E Alignment:
5E Domains:
5E Symbol:
Greek Name | Transliteration | Latin Spelling | Translation |
Αλκυονευς | Alkyoneus | Alcyoneus | Strong, Kingfisher |
ALKYONEUS (Alcyoneus) was the King of the Thrakian Gigantes (Giants) who was immortal within the confines of his homeland of Pallene.
Herakles encountered Alkyoneus during his travels. He sneaked up upon the giant as he slept and disabled him with a volley of arrows and blows from his club. The hero then dragged the wounded giant beyond the confines of Pallene where he died. Alkyoneus' seven mourning daughters were transformed into a flock of kingfishers (Greek alkyones).
The etymology of the giant's name is unclear. Several stories connect Alkyoneus with the kingfisher bird (alkyôn), and his brother Porphyrion was apparently named for the purple-coot. However it is more likely that his name is prefixed with the word alk- "the strong" as most of the Gigantes possess warlike names.
Alkyoneus may be the same as Eurymedon, a king of the Gigantes mentioned in the Odyssey.