The Giants in mythology

In Greek mythology, the giants were descendants of Uranus and Gaea. They warred against Zeus, but were subdued, and many of them were buried under Mount Aetna and other volcanoes. It is possible that the story of the conflict be­tween gods and giants had its origin in volcanic convulsions. Hercules, Orion, and Polyphemus are famous giants of Grecian legend. The giants are not to be confused with the Titans.

In Scandinavian my­thology the giant Ymir was the first created being. Jotunheim was the home of the giants, of whom Skrymir was one. He was so enormous that on one occasion Loki, himself of the giant race, Thor, and Thialfi, being lost in a forest, found refuge in Skrymir's glove.

The legends and traditions of all nations are full of tales of giants. One of the stories which never loses its charm for children is that of Jack the Giant Killer, which is of Welsh origin.