Titans, in Greek Mythology, were the sons and daughters of Uranus (Heaven) and Gæa (Earth), amongst whom were Kronos (see SATURN), Oceanus, Rhea, &c. Instigated by their mother, the Titans, headed by Kronos, rose against their father, emasculated and deposed him, and liberated their brothers, the Hecatoncheires (Hundred-handed) and the Cyclopes (q.v.), from Tartarus. Kronos, being made king, married his sister Rhea.
Zeus, the son of Kronos and Rhea, waged against his father and the other Titans a ten years' war, in which the Titans were defeated and hurled into Tartarus. During the war Zeus and his allies occupied Mount Olympus in Thessaly, his opponents being encamped on Mount Othrys. The name of Titans is also given to the descendants of the Titans, such as Prometheus, Hecate, Helios, Selene, &c. See GIANTS, ZEUS.