ANTAEUS (giant of Greek and Amazigh myth)
Monster · giant in Greek and Amazigh (Berber) mythology
- Parents
- Poseidon, Gaia
- Consorts
- Tinjis
- Symbols and gear
- battleaxe
- Haunts and cult places
- Libya
- In the sources
- 19 ancient passages
Antaeus, a giant of immense physical strength and wrestling skill, stood as the huge monarch of Libya.1,2 His lineage is debated in the accounts, with Apollodorus naming Poseidon as his father while other sources claim he was a son of Earth.3 He wielded a large double-edged axe in his right hand and kept a club near him.4,5
Those who lost in these matches were put to death.3,1 Antaeus possessed a unique ability where his strength increased whenever he made contact with the earth.3
The conflict culminated in a wrestling match between the giant and Heracles in the region of Libya.3,1,6,7 The combat took place at Lixos, a place where Antaeus had a palace.7 Heracles defeated Antaeus by lifting him into the air, thereby breaking him.3,1
This victory delivered the African lands from the threat posed by the giant.8,2 In later accounts, Antaeus no longer renews his strength.2 In Ovid, the giant is ashamed to submit to an effeminate victor, and he is capable of tearing pearls from a neck.9
A sepulchre for Antaeus is located at the city of Lynx, where Sertorius exposed a sixty-foot-long skeleton before covering it with earth.10 He is also said to have founded the town of Tingi.7
The codex facts behind this entry
Antaeus was a giant known for his physical strength and wrestling abilities. Diodorus 4.17 Antaeus was the ruler of Libya during the time of Heracles' journey. Apollodorus 2.5.11
Powers
His strength increased whenever he made contact with the earth. Apollodorus 2.5.11 Antaeus no longer renews his strength. Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus act 1 ¶2
In the myths
Heracles defeated and killed Antaeus in a wrestling match in the region of Libya by lifting him into the air and breaking him. Apollodorus 2.5.11 +4 Antaeus forced every stranger who arrived to engage in wrestling matches with him and killed those who lost. Apollodorus 2.5.11 +2 Heracles defeated Antaeus, thereby delivering the African lands from his threat. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 2 ¶12 +2 The weight of Antaeus caused the ship's keel to sink deep. Argonautica 1 ¶68 His grandfather hid his armor to try to stop him from leaving. Argonautica 1 ¶27 Sertorius exposed the skeleton of Antaeus before covering it with earth. Strabo 17.3.8 Antaeus is depicted wrestling with Heracles in a carving on a gable at Thebes. Pausanias 9.11.6 Antæus fought a combat with Heracles at Lixos. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.1 ¶2 Antæus would have removed the pearls from the neck of the effeminate victor. Ovid, Heroides 9.61 Antæus is said to have founded the town of Tingi. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.1 ¶2
