Gigantes
Primordial monsters born to end the gods, requiring divine and mortal hands to fall.
The Gigantes, also called the Great Giants, are giant-like beings made by Gaea and Tartarus to overthrow Olympus. Distinct from the Olympian gods, they were created specifically to wage war against the divine order during the Giant War. Each of them was meant to oppose a specific god. In modern mythology, these entities are characterized by a unique vulnerability: they can only be killed when struck down simultaneously by a god and a demigod. They are the enemies of The Heroes of Olympus, in which the demigods of Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter unite against Gaea.
Lore & Background
They can only be defeated by a god and a demigod working together. Furthermore, the Giant Alcyoneus possessed a unique invulnerability while standing on his native soil; he had to be dragged away from this sacred ground to become vulnerable before the final blow could land. In the modern era the Giants rise again under Gaea while war threatens between Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood. The resulting war tested the unity of the demigod world, revealing that survival depended on bridging the cultural gap between the two camps. Most of them are described as very tall, with dragon-like legs and shaggy hair. Their defeat marked a turning point in the balance of power, proving that the age of gods could still endure if mortals stood beside them.
Reader's Guide
The Gigantes were made by Gaea and Tartarus to overthrow Olympus. Unlike previous conflicts where gods fought alone, the Giants' unique curse necessitates a specific tactical approach: every Giant must be engaged by both a god and a demigod simultaneously to achieve a permanent kill. This requirement fundamentally altered the strategy of the modern world. Camp Half-Blood (Greek) and Camp Jupiter (Roman) unite to save the world from being destroyed by Gaea.
The Giants serve as the catalyst for the Second Giant War, driving the narrative arc where heroes must learn to trust one another across cultural divides. Key members include Porphyrion, the King of the Gigantes; Alcyoneus, invincible as long as he remains in his homeland; Enceladus, who opposes Athena; and Polybotes. Their role in the conflict is that of an unstoppable force that can only be stopped through cooperation, symbolizing the necessity of unity between the mortal and divine realms for survival.
Did You Know?
- They were previously defeated by the gods and Heracles during the Giantomachy.
- Alcyoneus is invincible in his homeland of Alaska, so Frank, Hazel and Arion drag him into Canada, where Hazel decapitates him.
- In The Blood of Olympus, Piper kills the giant Mimas with a statue of Phobos, fulfilling the rule that one god and one demigod must cooperate to kill a giant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is their fatal weakness?
A Giant cannot be permanently killed unless struck down simultaneously by both a god and a demigod. Any other method of attack will fail to stop their resurrection or healing abilities.
When do they appear in the books?
Their modern resurgence begins in The Lost Hero as part of the Second Giant War orchestrated by Gaia. They serve as the primary antagonists forcing cooperation between Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter.
More in Divine Houses & Armies
Elsewhere in Percy Jackson
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced