HYPERION, in Greek mythology, was one of the 12 children of the gods Uranus and Gaea. These children were members of a race of giant gods called the Titans. They were much older and more powerful than gods like Zeus (Jupiter) and Hermes (Mercury). Uranus feared their power and shut them up, but Gaea released them. They divided the world among themselves and each one ruled a part. Hyperion was given the task of guiding the sun across the sky in his chariot. His son Helios was sun god.