I. Name

In the strict sense the Gigantes in Greek mythology were the serpent-footed giants who were born from the blood-drops of the castration of Uranus (Heaven) that had fallen on Earth (Hesiod Theogony 183–186). The term gigantes occurs about 40 times in the LXX and refers there respectively to: a) the giant offspring of ‘the sons of God’ and ‘the daughters of mankind’ (Gen. 6.1–4; Bar. 3.26–28; Sir. 16.7); b) strong and mighty men, like Nimrod (Gen. 10.8–9); c) several pre-Israelite peoples of tall sta…