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Aloadae

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Twin giants in Greek myth, Otus and Ephialtes, sons of Poseidon, who attempted to storm Olympus by piling mountains atop one another.

Detailed Definition
Otus and Ephialtes, the Aloadae, grew rapidly and attempted to pile mountains to reach heaven and abduct Hera and Artemis. Killed by Apollo or Artemis, they represent hubristic rebellion. Poets cite them to evoke themes of overreaching ambition and divine retribution against mortal arrogance.
Example
Example in poetry:
Homer’s Odyssey describes the Aloadae, Otus and Ephialtes, as giants who tried to storm Olympus; Ovid’s Metamorphoses recounts their imprisonment in Tartarus after challenging the gods; Virgil references them in the Aeneid as symbols of rebellious pride; Apollodorus details their attempt to pile mountains to reach heaven; In Hesiod’s Catalogue of Women, they are sons of Poseidon with immense strength; Later allegory treats them as embodiments of human arrogance.
Additional Notes
The Aloadae—Otus and Ephialtes—are giant sons of Poseidon who attempt to storm Olympus by piling mountains. Their hubris leads to imprisonment in Tartarus or death by Apollo/Artemis. In Homer (Odyssey 11), they’re admired for their size; in Ovid, they’re cautionary. Students should note their role in cosmogonic myths: they challenge divine order, embodying chaotic human ambition. Their 9-year growth cycle (9 cubits tall at 9 years) reflects mythic numerology. Related: Giants, Gigantomachy, Titans.
Also Known As
Aloadae Twins Otus and Ephialtes Giants of Thessaly Sons of Iphimedia Storm-Raisers
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