The Titans of Greek Mythology

Definition: Two main groups of gigantic creatures in Greek mythology -- both known as the Titans -- are distinguished mainly by their generation.

First Generation Titans of Greek Mythology

The Titans in the first generation are the aunts, uncles, and parents of Zeus and company (the Olympian gods and goddesses). [See Genealogy of the First Gods.] These Titans are the 12 children of the primordial personifications of the earth (Gaia) and the sky (Uranus):

1. Oceanus [Okeanos]
   (father of nymphs)

2. Coeus [Koios]
   (father of Leto & Asteria)

3. Crius [Krios]
   (father of Pallas, Astraeus, and Perses)

4. Hyperion
   (father of sun-god, moon, dawn)

5. Iapetus [Iapetos]
   (father of Prometheus, Atlas, and Epimetheus)

6. Cronus [Kronos] (aka Saturn)

7. Thea [Theia]
   (Hyperion's mate)

8. Rhea [Rheia]
   (Cronus and Rhea were the parents of the Olympian gods and goddesses)

9. Themis
   (Zeus' second consort, mother of the Hours, Fates)

10. Mnemosyne
    (mated with Zeus to produce the Muses)

11. Phoebe
    (Coeus' mate)

12. Tethys
    (Ocean's mate)

The Titans Cronus (#6 above) and Rhea (#8) are the parents of Zeus and the other Olympian gods and goddesses.

Besides the Olympian gods and goddesses, the Titans produced other offspring, mating with either other Titans or other creatures. These offspring are also called Titans, but they're the titans of the second generation.

Second Generation Titans of Greek Mythology

Some of the children of the first generation Titans are also referred to as Titans. The major second generation Titans are:

• Asteria
• Astraea (Dike)
• Astraeus
• Atlas
• Eos (Dawn)
• Eosphorus (or Hesperus)
• Epimetheus
• Helius
• Leto
• Menoetius
• Pallas
• Perses
• Prometheus
• Selene

As for most aspects of mythology, Carlos Parada has an excellent page on the Titans.

Also Known As: Ouraniônes, Ouranidai