Cyclops

     The Cyclopes are colossus human creatures with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. They were known as strong, powerful and stubborn beings that acted violently with unexpected emotion. In mythology there are two generations of Cyclopes referred to as the elder and younger. The elder Cyclopes were three brothers who were the blacksmiths of the Gods. Scholars believe that the origin of the single eye is possibly because smiths wore an eye patch to protect one of their eyes from flying sparks that could cause blindness. The brothers were responsible for the creation of Zeus’ thunderbolts, Poseidon’s trident and Hades’ Helmet of Darkness. Because of their help to the Gods, Cyclopes were considered to be good creatures but after Homer’s Odysseus, their reputation changed.  The younger generation of Cyclopes was considered to be lawless tyrants. They were shepherds whom lived in caves and devoured human flesh. 

Renaissance fresco painting of Cyclopes located at the Villa Farnesina.

Atsma, Aaron J. "CYCLOPES, ELDER : One-eyed Giants." Theoi Project. N.p., 2000. Web. 18 Aug. 2013. 

<http://www.theoi.com/Titan/Kyklopes.html>.

Atsma, Aaron J. "CYCLOPES, YOUNGER: One-Eyed Giants." Theoi Project. N.p., 2000. Web. 18 Aug. 2013. <http://www.theoi.com/Gigante/GigantesKyklopes.html>.

Baldwin, Anna. "Cyclopes." Encyclopedia Mythica. Advameg Inc., 3 Mar. 1997. Web. 18 Aug. 2013. 

<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/cyclopes.html>.