The children of Ge (Mother Earth) who attacked the Olympian gods and were defeated by them in a battle (known as a Gigantomachy) which symbolised the success of the civilised world over the primitive. They appear as warriors, and later, as figures wearing skins and throwing stones, sometimes with snake legs, notably on the Great Altar at Pergamon.
Above left: Detail from an Attic red-figure clay vase, about 400 BC. Athens, National Archaeological Museum 1333. © National Archaeological Museum, Athens Licence Plate 11 UK 1007 144
Above right: Part of north frieze from Pergamon Great Altar. Berlin. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Photo. Mus. PM 7344. © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
