Hecatoncheires were the three hundred-armed giants Cottos, Gyes and Briareüs who were the offspring of
Uranus and Gaia (who also bore the Cyclopes). Their name (from hecaton, 'hundred' and cheir, 'hand', 'arm') may be taken
literally in view of their special status, or perhaps more metaphorically, for example because they acted a hundred more times more powerfully when they did anything than anyone else.
