# Giants, Sphinx, Pegasus and Chimaera, Centaurs, Griffin, and Pygmies explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

This chapter catalogs various mythological monsters, describing their unnatural proportions, hybrid forms, and the terror they inspired. It distinguishes between human-like giants such as Cyclopes and Antaeus, who interacted with mortals, and superhuman giants like Tityus and Enceladus who warred with the gods. The narrative recounts the giants' rebellion, their temporary routing of the gods into Egypt (where the gods assumed animal forms), and their eventual defeat by Jupiter's thunderbolts, forged by the Cyclopes under Minerva's instruction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hubris and Divine Retribution

The giants' rebellion against the gods exemplifies hubris, leading to their violent defeat by Jupiter's thunderbolts.

### Mortality and Immortality

The contrast between mortal giants (like Antaeus) who interact with humans and immortal giants who challenge the gods highlights the boundary between mortal and divine.

## Character check-ins

### Jupiter

Took the form of a ram during the giants' war, later worshipped as Ammon in Egypt; ultimately subdued the giants with thunderbolts.

### Phoebus Apollo

Fled from the giants and hid by taking the form of a crow.

### Minerva

Invented the thunderbolt and taught Vulcan and the Cyclopes to make it for Jupiter.

### Vulcan

Taught by Minerva to forge thunderbolts for Jupiter with the help of the Cyclopes.

### Antaeus

Mentioned as a human-like giant who mingled with mortals.

## Key lines

> At one time they put the gods to such fear that they fled into Egypt and hid themselves under various forms.

The giants terrified the gods so much that the gods escaped to Egypt and disguised themselves as animals.

_Illustrates the temporary panic of the Olympian gods during the Gigantomachy._

> At another time the giants attempted to climb up into heaven, and for that purpose took up the mountain Ossa and piled it on Pelion.

The giants tried to reach heaven by stacking Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa.

_Describes the famous myth of the giants' assault on Olympus by piling mountains._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/giants-sphinx-pegasus-and-chimaera-centaurs-griffin-and-pygmies
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
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