In the Greek Mythology, the Hécatonchires (in Greek old Ἐκατόγχειρες / Hekatógkheires , “which has hundred hands”, of ἐκατόν / hekatón , “hundred” and of χείρ / kheír , “hand”) or Centimanes (in Latin Centimanūs , “which has hundred hands”, of centēnus , “hundred” and of manŭs , “hand”) is the three wire of Ouranos (Sky) and of Gaïa (Earth). They name Cottos, Gyès (or Gygès) and Briarée (or Égéon). They have each one hundred arm and fifty heads which spit of fire, and are the brothers of the Titans and the Cyclops. They are usually represented like marine divinities.

Thrown by their father (who feared their force) in the Tartar , they are saved by it by Cronos. They then help it to reverse Ouranos. But again, Cronos locks up them in the Tartar, and they are delivered this time by Zeus, which they assist in the Titanomachie. The Titans, overcome, are precipitated with the Tartar, whose Hécatonchires become the guards.

Thereafter they are found mingled (in particular Briarée) with several legends where they intervene to restore the order on the Olympe.

Sources

• (I, 1).
• ( passim ).
• (I, 404).
• (II, 1 and 4).
• (VI, 287; X, 565).

See too