Greek MythsOlympian Gods

Artemis and the Aloadae

Artemis outsmarts two giant brothers who dared to challenge the gods of Olympus.

1 min read

4 characters

Illustration for Artemis and the Aloadae - a olympian gods Greek Myths story with moral lessons

1 min4

Story Summary

Discover the Greek myth of Artemis and the Aloadae. See how the goddess of the hunt used cunning to defeat the giant twin brothers Otus and Ephialtes in this tale.

The twin giants Otus and Ephialtes, known as the Aloadae, grew with such terrifying speed that they soon dared to challenge the gods of Olympus. They successfully imprisoned Ares, the god of war, in a bronze jar and threatened to pile Mount Ossa upon Mount Pelion to storm the heavens. Otus intended to claim Artemis as his bride, while Ephialtes sought Hera. Recognizing their physical might was too great for direct combat, Artemis devised a cunning plan. On the island of Naxos, she transformed herself into a magnificent white doe and darted between the brothers. Overcome by the thrill of the hunt, both giants hurled their spears at the creature at the exact same moment. The elusive doe vanished, and the spears flew across the empty space, striking each brother in the heart. The giants fell by each other's hands, ending their hubris forever.

The Moral

Brute force is no match for wisdom and strategy, and hubris often leads to self-destruction.

“In their hunger to hunt the divine, the brothers found only their own ends.”

Fun Fact

The phrase 'piling Ossa on Pelion' became a classical idiom for an enormous, perhaps futile, undertaking or a series of escalating troubles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the Aloadae in Greek mythology?

The Aloadae were twin giants named Otus and Ephialtes, sons of Iphimedia and Poseidon, who grew incredibly fast and challenged the Olympian gods.

How did Artemis defeat the Aloadae?

Artemis transformed into a white deer and ran between the brothers; they threw their spears at the animal but missed, hitting and killing each other instead.

Why did the Aloadae capture Ares?

The giants wanted to humiliate the gods and demonstrate their power, so they trapped Ares in a bronze jar where he remained for thirteen months until Hermes rescued him.

What does 'piling Ossa on Pelion' mean?

It is an idiom derived from this myth, referring to an attempt to achieve a massive task by adding one difficulty on top of another, or an act of extreme hubris.

Why did the Aloadae want to reach Olympus?

They sought to overthrow the Olympian gods and take the goddesses Hera and Artemis as their wives, believing themselves superior to the divine.

What happened to the Aloadae in the underworld?

According to some versions, they were punished in Tartarus by being tied to a pillar with snakes, back-to-back, while an owl screeched at them eternally.