The Story of Gaia
Gaia was the Earth itself, one of the very first beings to exist. According to Hesiod, at the beginning there was only Chaos, a vast empty gap, and then came broad bosomed Gaia, the firm foundation of all things. From her, almost everything else in the world would grow.
On her own, Gaia gave birth to Uranus, the starry sky, to cover her on every side. She also bore the Ourea, the high mountains, and Pontus, the deep sea. With Uranus as her husband, she then became the mother of the twelve Titans, the three one eyed Cyclopes and the three Hundred Handed Ones.
Uranus hated some of these children, especially the Cyclopes and the Hundred Handed Ones, and pushed them back deep inside the earth. Gaia groaned in pain and anger. She made a great sickle of adamant and asked her sons to punish their father, and only the youngest Titan, Cronus, agreed.
Cronus ambushed Uranus with the sickle and took his throne. But he too became a tyrant, swallowing his own children, and Gaia helped Rhea save the baby Zeus by hiding him on Crete. Later she told Zeus that he would win the war against the Titans only if he freed the monsters imprisoned below the earth.
Gaia's loyalties shifted as each new king grew cruel to her children. Angry that Zeus had locked the Titans in Tartarus, she encouraged the Giants to rise against the Olympians. In Hesiod's account, she then lay with Tartarus and gave birth to Typhon, a monster with a hundred serpent heads, who nearly overthrew Zeus before he was finally struck down by thunderbolts.
Gaia was also a goddess of prophecy. The oracle at Delphi was said to have belonged to her first, long before Apollo, and it was guarded by her serpent child Python. Through her many children she was the ancestor of the gods, the monsters and, in some tellings, of humankind as well.
The Greeks honored Gaia as the mother of all, who gave life and took it back again. She had shrines across Greece, and people called on her as a witness when they swore their most serious oaths. Her name lives on today in words like geography and geology, and in the modern idea of the Earth as one living whole.
Famous Myths About Gaia
Mother of Earth and Sky
Gaia emerged at the beginning of creation and gave birth to Uranus, the sky, to cover her on every side. With him she became the mother of the Titans, the Cyclopes, and the Hundred-Handed Ones.
The Revolt Against Uranus
Uranus hated some of his children and shoved them back into Gaia's body, causing her great pain. She made a sickle of adamant and persuaded her son Cronus to use it to overthrow his father.
Saving Zeus
When Cronus began swallowing his own children, Gaia helped Rhea plan to save the youngest, Zeus. She also foretold that Zeus would win the war against the Titans if he freed the monsters imprisoned in Tartarus.
Typhon
Angry that Zeus had imprisoned her Titan children, Gaia bore the monster Typhon, a giant with a hundred serpent heads. Typhon nearly overthrew Zeus before the king of the gods defeated him with his thunderbolts.
Gaia's Family Tree
Parents of Gaia
Husband and Partners of Gaia
Children of Gaia
Frequently Asked Questions About Gaia
Who is Gaia in Greek mythology?
Gaia is the primordial goddess of the Earth and the great mother of all life, gods and creatures.
Where did Gaia come from?
According to Hesiod, Gaia came into being right after Chaos, at the very beginning of creation.
Who are Gaia's children?
Gaia gave birth on her own to Uranus, the sky, Pontus, the sea, and the Ourea, the mountains. With Uranus she had the Titans, the Cyclopes and the Hundred Handed Ones.
Why did Gaia turn against Uranus?
Uranus imprisoned some of their children deep inside the earth, causing Gaia great pain. She made a sickle and persuaded her son Cronus to overthrow his father with it.
Was Gaia linked to the oracle at Delphi?
Yes. In many accounts, the oracle at Delphi first belonged to Gaia and was guarded by the serpent Python before Apollo took it over.
What is Gaia's Roman name?
The Romans called Gaia Terra, or Tellus.
