Greek Mythology >> Bestiary >> Giants >> Azeus (Azeios)

AZEIOS

Greek Name

Αζειος

Transliteration

Azeios

Latin Spelling

Azeus

Translation

Of the Drought?

AZEIOS (Azeus) was an Arkadian giant who fought in the war of the Titanes. He was an ancestor of the kings of Arkadia through his son Lykon (Lycon).

It is not clear which side he supported in the war although several other Arkadian giants such as Hoplodamos, defender of Rhea, and Anytos, protector of the goddess Despoine, were allies of the gods. His name was probably derived from the Greek word azesios "drought," or from Azania, a region of Arkadia. The local Zeus, surnamed Lykaios, was conversely the god of rain.

PARENTS

GAIA (Greek Papyri III No. 140b)

OFFSPRING

LYKON (by a Nymphe) (Greek Papyri III No. 140b)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Anonymous (perhaps Pamprepius of Panopolis), Fragments (trans. Page, Vol. Select Papyri III, No. 140b) (Greek poetry C4th A.D.) :
"I will lift the veil from your remotest ancestry : Khthon (Chthon) [Gaia, the Earth] teemed of old and bore a son Azeios (Azeus), who grew to manhood amid the mighty battles of the Titanes (Titans). Gigas (the Giant) Azeios encountered a Nymphe with lover's intent, and begot Lykon (Lycon); and hero Lykon begot a fair maiden Deianeira. Now Pelasgos (Pelasgus) of old went up the fair couch of Deianeira when she was growing to womanhood; he was the dear son of Zeus Eleutherios (God of Freedom); and from her bed he got Lykaon (Lycaon), shepherd of the land of Arkadia (Arcadia)."