In my previous post I outlined the family of Titans, children of Ouranos and Gaia. Today’s article, I’m going to delve a little deeper into the hierarchy of these ancient gods. Before I do, the term Titan, is a Latin spelling taken from the Greek words Τιταν Θεος, which is translated into Straining-Gods (teinô titainô). Given the role of many of the Titans, it is easy to see how the term fits, for example Atlas burdened with holding the world on his shoulders.
The story of the Elder Titans rule began when Ouranos imprisoned the giants Kyklopes (Cyclopes) and the Hekatonkheires into the centre of the earth. Gaia wasn’t very happy at her partner’s filicide (though eternals can’t be killed) she encouraged her sons, led by Kronos to exact revenge on their father. Kronos was keen to lead the rebellion, he was canny enough to realise if he deposed his father, then the way would be clear for him to take over the ‘heavenly’ realm and that of the Earth.
Kronos and his brothers ambushed Ouranos as he was about to lay with Earth (Gaia). Koios, Krios, Iapetos, and Hyperion held Sky, while Kronos castrated him with a sickle. From Ouranos’ blood and semen Aphrodite was born, and while her status was that of Titan, she was better known as an Olympian God, and her origin story has close links to Middle-Eastern mythology and that of the goddess Astarte.
Kronos and his siblings took over the cosmos, released their brothers from Gaia’s belly and ruled during a period known as the ‘golden age’. This was regarded as the childhood of humanity and before the development of mind, which was when Zeus took over. In essence, the Titans oversaw the infancy of human evolution similar to the physical development of a baby, who relies on the parents for nurturing and feeding. Just as child grows and becomes independent and individuality begins to show, they ween away from the protective embrace of their parents. They still need their parents, but become more self-aware.
In Zeus’ reign and that of the Olympians, the edification and sophistication of the psychological and intellectual mind is expanded into what we identify with adolescence and adulthood. This demonstrates maturation and self-reliance, and ability to survive without the parent. In the same way, how Kronos and his siblings ousted their father, and then later by Zeus deposing his sire, Kronos, mythology provides an evocative explanation of human evolution.
What do you think? What are your thoughts on the meaning of the myth? Thanks for stopping by, I look forward to your comments and will respond.
References:
Atsma, A. J. (2017). The Titans Theoi Greek mythology. THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY – Exploring Mythology in Classical Literature & Art. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/Titanes.html
De Warren, C. (2022). The reign of the titans – Greek mythology – Interpretation. Mythologie Grecque. https://www.greekmyths-interpretation.com/en/genesis-greek-mythology-interpretation/reign-titans-greek-mythology-interpretation/
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