WHO ARE THE 12 TITANS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY?

Greek Mythology has a wide selection of divine beings. One of these beings are the forms known as Titans, which occupy an important place in mythology. The  12 Titans born from the union of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky) hold a significant place in mythology, playing a crucial role in the creation of many generations.

Children of Gaia and Uranus

Gaia, the Earth or land, was one of the first beings to emerge from Chaos during the creation. Uranus, one of the three sons born to Gaia without union, later coupled with Gaia in the process of creation, and together, they bore many children. One of these groups consists of the 12 Titans.

The 12 Titans in Greek Mythology

Gaia and Uranus had 12 more children after the Hecatoncheires and the Cyclopes. These 12 Titans are their most famous children. The Titans then often mated within themselves, leading to the birth of the gods.

Names of the 12 Titans

Comprising 6 male and 6 female Titans, the 12 Titans were destined to become the first gods and goddesses. The children of Gaia and Uranus, the 12 Titans and their names are as follows:

1 – Oceanus: Titan of the Ocean

Who is Oceanus?

In Greek Mythology, Oceanus, the eldest of the 12 Titan children of Gaia and Uranus, was the god of rivers and oceans. Oceanus was seen as a symbol of the ever-flowing waters that nourished life.

Oceanus was not involved in the conflicts or wars between the gods and their generations. He only played the role of a mediator from time to time, but otherwise he kept to himself and continued his existence.

He married his sister Tethys, one of the 12 Titans.

2- Hyperion: Titan of Light

Who is Hyperion?

Hyperion, the Titan of Light,  associated with celestial spheres and heavenly bodies, is known as the “one who walks before the sun”,  which matches his role as a cosmic force. Hyperion is recognized as the first sun god.

He was associated with his sister Theia, one of the 12 Titans.

3 – Crios: Titan of the Stars

Who is Crios? 

Crios, although less known, is often associated with centuries and cosmic order, symbolizing a celestial force guiding the shapes of stars.

He was married to Eurybie

4 – Ceos: Titan of Intelligence

Who is Ceos ?

Ceos , a Titan representing intellect and rationality, plays the role of a philosopher. He united with his sister Phoebe, another one of the 12 Titans.

5 – Iapetos: Titan of Mortality

Who is Iapetos?

Iapetus is a titan associated with mortality. He is associated with human life and the transience of existence, a fact of existence. His name emphasizes his shaping the destiny of beings on earth.

According to Hesiod, he married Cylmene, an Oceanid, and according to Apollondorus, he married Asie.

6 – Cronus: Titan Initiating the Golden Age

Who is Cronus? 

The youngest of the 12 Titans, Cronus, played a crucial role in overthrowing Uranus, his father, responding to Gaia’s call for rebellion. He initiated the Golden Age and married his sister Rhea, another one of 12 Titans

7 – Tethys: Nurturing Titan

Who is Tethys?

One of the 6 female titans among the 12 Titans, Tethys is the first sea/water goddess. She mostly represents fresh water sources. She symbolizes the waters that are an indispensable part of life, necessary for the development of both gods, divine beings and mortals. Therefore, she appears as a nourishing and nurturing divine being.

She married to her brother Oceanus.

8 – Theia: Titan of Prophecy and Insight

Who is Theia ?

Theia, who has the gift of prophecy and foresight, is one of the female titans among the 12.

She married to his brother Hyperion.

9 – Mnemosyne: Titan of Memory

Who is Mnemosyne?

Mnemosyne personifies memory and the recollection of experiences.

She personifies the vital role of memory and memories. 

She was  married to Zeus.

10 – Themis: Titan of Divine Law

Who is Themis?

Themis, one of the female titans, represents divine law and divine order. She personalizes the principles of justice and social order. She is the representative of eternal order, right-law, necessities.

She married to Zeus.

11 – Phoebe: Titaness of Darkness and Mystery

Who is Phoebe?

Phoebe, another female Titan, is associated with darkness and mystery. She is recognized as the first goddess of the moon and had children with Ceos.

12 – Rhea: Mother of the Gods

Who is Rhea? 

Rhea, another female titan  and daughter of Uranus and Gaia, is often referred to as the Earth Mother. She is the mother of the Olympian gods, having married her brother Cronus.

Union and Marriages of the 12 Titans:

The 12 Titans born from the union of Gaia and Uranus often paired among themselves, resulting in the birth of various gods, goddesses, and their offspring in Greek mythology.

Oceanus and Tethys:

Oceanus, the Titan of the Sea, was married to Tethys, symbolizing the female element in the sea. 3000 female beings were born from this marriage. These girls are known as “Oceanus girls” or Oceanids in Greek Mythology. Among these Oceanids are Metis, Thetis and Eurynome.

Hyperion and Theia:

Hyperion’s union with Theia brought forth Helios, Selene (the Moon), and Eos (Dawn) into the world.

Crios and Eurybie:

Crios and Eurybie’s union resulted in the birth of Astroios, Pallas, and Perses.

Ceos and Phoebe:

Ceos, representing intellect, united with his sister Phoebe, and their union produced Leto and Asteria. Leto later gave birth to Apollo and Artemis through her union with Zeus.

Iapetos and Cylemene:

Iapetos married Cylemene, an Oceanid. Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoitios were born from this marriage

According to some sources, Iapetos married Asie, not Kylemene.

Cronus and Rhea:

Cronus, the youngest of the 12 Titans, married his sister Rhea, and their union led to the birth of the gods of Olympus; Hestia, Poseidon, Demeter, Hades, Hera, Zeus.

Themis and Zeus:

Themis, a Titaness representing divine law, married Zeus, resulting in the birth of the Horae and Moirae. 

The Horae personify the seasons and guard the gates of the sky, while the Moirae are goddesses determining human destiny.

Horae (Eunomia, Dike, Eirene); Eunomia is charged with discipline, Dike with justice and Eirene with peace. The Horas, also associated with the formation of the seasons, are the watchmen who guard the gates of the sky.

Moiras are goddesses who decide human destiny and hold the thread of fate in their hands.

Klotho is called the weaver, Lakhesis the distributor and Atropos the indispensable.

Mnemosyne and Zeus:

Mnemosyne, the female titan of memory, entered into a union with Zeus, giving birth to the Muses. 

The Muses represent various aspects such as history, lyric poetry, music, comedy, tragedy, dance, love poetry, divine songs, and epic poetry.

Although their exact number is unknown and each of them does not have a clear role, here is what is known;

Clio = History
Euterpe= Lyric poetry and music
Thalia = Comedy
Melpomene= Tragedy
Terpsichore= Dance
Erato= Love poems, lyre, song
Polyhymnia= Hymns, choral songs
Urania= Astronomy
Calliope= Epic poetry

Gaia and Uranos’ Other Children: Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes

What are the Hecatoncheires?

Hecatoncheires, the children of Gaia and Uranus outside the 12 Titans, are powerful giants with a hundred arms and fifty heads, often referred to as the Hundred-Handed. Due to their immense strength, they frightened Uranus, who imprisoned them in Tartarus.

The three Hecatoncheires are named Kottos, Briarerus (Aegaeon), and Gyes.

When Cronus won the victory over his father Uranus, he freed Hecatoncheires, but after a while Cronus too became afraid of the power of them and imprisoned them in Tartaros.

What are the Cyclopes?

Known as one-eyed giants in Greek Mythology, cyclopes are beings that have been classified differently throughout history. Born from Uranus and Gaia, the three cyclopes are different from their later known counterparts. Instead of being described as fearsome monsters like them, they are known as peaceful and godlike beings. They are also skilled blacksmiths.

These are the three Cyclopes;

Brontes – Storm / Stormbreaker

Arges – Luminous / lightning

Steropes (Asteropes) – Lightning / lightning flash

They were imprisoned in Tartarus by  Uranus and later by Cronus.