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Cesar Nungaray Yarlyn Pacheco Mrs. Schreier Pre AP English Period 3 August 24, 2012 Cyclopes Imagine that gigantic monsters existed! In Greek mythology such monsters did exist and they were known as Cyclopes. The origins of natural phenomenon, the journey of finding ones purpose are all detailed in epic Greek mythological stories of which Cyclopes played significant roles. Some Cyclopes were used in mythology to explain in some cases, the thunderbolts or certain architecture designs in the world which will be mentioned farther more. These individuals were very unusual creatures; they had two generations the one described in Hesiods Theogony and the second one in Homers Odyssey. In general, the Cyclopes were frightening monsters. The origin of their name comes from the Greek Kyklops meaning round eye (Dictionary reference). Some of these monsters were lawless race of shepherds while others were simply blacksmiths. Primarily, their work dealt extensively in the fields of force and resistance. Credited with building the great and expansive Cyclopean walls,

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Cyclopes were also regarded by many as skillful architects. These walls still exist in several parts of Greece and Italy; although the walls exist, the mystery lies in if the Cyclopes constructed them. Doubt as to whether these walls were built by these creatures is evident in A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, stating the following The story of the Cyclopes having built them seems to be a mere invention, and admits neither of an historical nor geographical explanation (Kyklopes). The entire existence of these creatures, let alone them building the Cyclopean Walls was questioned when scientists on the Greek island of Crete discovered the fossilized tusk, teeth and bones of a Deinotherium gigantisimum a precursor to the elephant. These fossils are credited with rise of the legend of one-eyed monster (Mayell). Argos, Steropes, and Bontes were all Cyclopes described in in Hesiods Theogony. These monsters were the sons of father sky Uranus, and mother earth Gaia (Evslin 1). Both had one eye and were the sons of the earth and sky (N. S. Gill). Uranus used to keep his children imprisoned and he threw them, along with the titans, in Tartarus. The myth later details how Zeus releases them. After Zeus overthrew their father, he set them free. As a reward, the Cyclopes gave Zeus the gift of thunder and lightning (Kyklopes). The myth also tells that Cyclopes gave Poseidon a storm-raising trident and Haides the helm of invisibility.

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In Homers Odyssey, Cyclopes lived on an island named after them, The Island of the Cyclopes. The most famous Cyclopes was Polyphemus, son of Poseidon and Thoosa. The epic poem of the Odyssey described how the Greek hero Odysseus and his men sailed to the island inhabited by Polyphemus (Cyclopes). Depicted as a lawless race of shepherds, Cyclopes were also known to eat human beings. In this story Polyphemus was eating members of Odysseus crew. Trying to escape, Odysseus pulled out the single eye of Polyphemus and got his men out of harm (N.S Gill). It was after this encounter that Polyphemus begged his father, Poseidon, to punish Odysseus on his epic journey. As a result, what should have been a short journey to Ithaca, resulted in a difficult voyage lasting 10 years. In conclusion, strong and unusual creatures called Cyclopes lead extraordinary lifes as described in Hesiods and Homers versions. Cyclopes were pivotal characters of both stories giving meaning and understanding to both of the myths. For instance, in the story of Hesiod, Cyclopes gave thunder and lightning to Zeus in reward of libering them from their father Uranus; also, in the story of Homers Odyssey, Polyphemus cursed Odysseus by telling his father Poseidon what happened. They were depicted as incredibly strong single-eyed monsters. In Hesiods Theogony they were imprisoned and then recognized as creatures with powers such as thunder and lighting. They also proved valuable when working as

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blacksmiths. In Homers Odyssey they were a lawless race of shepherds with an appetite for humans. Even today, many believe they existed in ancient times but others are skeptical due to lack of evidence. Whether they existed or not, Cyclopes made a huge impact in many people just saying the name they remember them by their symbolic characteristic of being a one eye monster.

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Works Cited The Odyssey: Mythology. Gods and mythology. Sblair. September 10, 2007. < http://www.sblair.com/odyssey/gods_myths.htm> Cyclops. Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Third Edition Houghton Mifflin Company. Copyright 2005. Kyklops. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. Smith, William, Sir, Ed. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Library 2005.

Evslin, Bernard. The Cyclopes. Chelsea House Publishers: New York, 1987.

Mayell, Hillary. Cyclops Myth Spurred by "One-Eyed" Fossils? National Geographic news. February 5, 2003.

N.S. Gill. Polyphemus. Ancient / Classical History. Ancienthistory.com A part of The New York Times Company 2012.<http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/grecoro manmyth1/g/polyphemus.htm>