Alcyoneus

Alcyoneus (kingfisher) In Greek mythology, son of Uranus, whose blood touched Gaea, the earth; eldest and mightiest of the Titans. Alcyoneus could not be overtaken by death in his own country. In the war with the Titans, Heracles had to drag Alcyoneus away from Pallene before he could kill him. The hero lifted him from the earth, his mother, and killed him. Alcyoneus also is the name of a giant who stole the oxen of Helios from the island of Erytheia. As Heracles was crossing the Thracian isthmus of Pallene, Alcyoneus crushed 12 of his wagons and 25 of his men with a huge piece of rock. When the giant hurled it at Heracles, the hero struck it back with his club and killed Alcyoneus with the same blow.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante

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