Antaeus
Libyan King
Domains:
Libyan Giant
Category:
5E Alignment:
5E Domains:
5E Symbol:
Greek Name | Transliteration | Latin Spelling | Translation |
Ανταιος | Antaios | Antaeus | Set-Against, Hostile |
ANTAIOS (Antaeus) was a Libyan giant who forced travellers passing through his land to compete with him in a wrestling match. He overwhelmed them all and used their skulls to roof the temple of his father Poseidon.
Antaios was a son of Gaia of the Earth, and it was from her that he drew his invincible strength. When Herakles encountered him in the ring, Athene advised the him to lift the giant up from the earth in the contest. He did so, and weakening the monster was able to crush his ribs and kill him.
The Greek word antaios which lies behind his name means "set-against" or "hostile."