The Hecatonchires were the infamous "hundred-handed," who were the three sons of Uranus and Gaea (the Earth). They were of the same parents as the Titans and the Cyclopes. As the name indicates, they each had one hundred hands. The three brothers were named Gyges (Gyes), Cottus, and Briareus. They were associated with the crashing of waves and earthquakes. When Zeus fought his father Cronus and the Titans, the Hecatonchires were very valuable as "soldiers." With their hundred hands and tremendous strength and dexterity, they were able to hurl three hundred stones at one time at the Titans. Being unable to overcome such a barrage, the Titans soon surrendered to Zeus. Zeus assigned the Hecatonchires to guard the Titans in Tartarus.

ACTIVITIES:
Hecatonchites activity

KEY TEST WORDS:
The Hecatonchires were one hundred handed monsters, the three sons of Uranus and Gaea.

Creatures and Monsters

Fables

Footnotes:
Zeus released both the Hecatonchires and the Cyclopes from the Underworld, where they had been imprisoned by their father Uranus. For this reason they fought with Zeus against the Titans.

SOURCES:
Jane Smith
Edith Hamilton's Mythology
Bulfinch's Mythology
"Manual of Mythology" by Alexander S. Murray.