Gigantes
/dʒaɪˈɡæn.tiːz/noun
In Greek mythology, the Gigantes were a race of powerful earth-born beings who fought the Olympian gods in the Gigantomachy.
Did you know?Although later art often depicts them as ordinary giants, ancient Greek sources described the Gigantes as formidable divine opponents, sometimes shown with serpent-like legs.
Etymological Timeline
Archaic Greek, c. 8th–7th century BCE
Ancient Greek
Γίγαντες (Gigantes)
“The plural name for the mythic race of Gigantes; the word’s deeper origin is uncertain and may be pre-Greek.”
5th century BCE
Ancient Greek
Γίγαντες
“Mythic enemies of the Olympian gods, defeated in the Gigantomachy, or battle of the giants.”
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Latin
Gigantēs
“Latin form used for the Greek mythological beings and for beings of enormous size.”
Middle English, 13th–14th century
English
Giant
“A person or legendary being of extraordinary size, from Old French geant and ultimately Greek gigas.”
Modern English
English
Gigantes
“A retained classical plural used chiefly in mythology, classical studies, and references to the Gigantomachy.”
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