History Main / ClassicalCyclops

** Great cyclopes are a breed of cyclopes distinguished from their kin by their immense size and a single horn jutting from their foreheads (a ShoutOut to the cyclops from ''Film/TheSeventhVoyageOfSinbad''). Great cyclopes are the ultimate state of cyclopean degeneration; while common cyclopes are genuinely intelligent beings who are simply unable to leverage their intellect very well, great cyclopes are purely primitive, instinct-driven beasts. Rather than simply being a separate breed of cyclops, regular cyclopes periodically surrender to their hunger, abandoning the last vestiges of civilization for the life of a solitary predator and eventually turning into solitary, lumbering colossi only a little above beasts.

** Like many things in [[OddballInTheSeries 4th Edition]], cyclopes were drastically changed. Here, they originate from the Feywild's version of [[BeneathTheEarth the Underdark]], where they work as a ServantRace for the Fomorians, a hideously deformed race of insane, subterranean giants who constantly war with the fairies on the surface. While this change was one of the more welcomed ones due to the depth it gave them, it was quietly dropped with the advent of 5th edition and cyclopes went back to their usual characterization.

** Great cyclopes are a breed of cyclopes distinguished from their kin by their immense size and a single horn jutting from their foreheads. Great cyclopes are the ultimate state of cyclopean degeneration; while common cyclopes are genuinely intelligent beings who are simply unable to leverage their intellect very well, great cyclopes are purely primitive, instinct-driven beasts. Rather than simply being a separate breed of cyclops, regular cyclopes periodically surrender to their hunger, abandoning the last vestiges of civilization for the life of a solitary predator and eventually turning into solitary, lumbering colossi only a little above beasts.

** Kabandhas are cyclopes with no heads and their eye and mouth on their chests, based on a character from the Indian epic Literature/TheRamayana, and serve as wardens of hidden or sacred places.

The former type tends to be more popular in fiction and is based off an [[CharacterExaggeration exaggerated version]] of Polyphemus, the antagonist in ''Literature/TheOdyssey''. It should be noted that Poylphemus was [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch was the exception rather than the rule]] and, whilst he fell for an obvious trick, was still a sapient being with a human-like occupation and hobbies. The reason the savage depiction may be more popular probably relates to the popularity of ''The Odyssey'' as a story, as well as the Cyclops having a monstrous appearance.

* '''Arges type:''' These Cyclopes are more and advanced intelligent beings who are skilled at inventing, often they may be portrayed as reclusive {{Ultimate Blacksmith}}s. They may also have innate psychic or magical powers.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': The titular hero has to fight against a huge, brutish cyclops released by Hades alongside the titans after losing his phenomenal strength in a deal with the god of the underworld. Despite this handicap, Hercules still has his combat experience and plucky sidekick Pegasus and manages to defeat the giant by tying his legs with a rope and sending him plunging off a cliff. According to [[TabletopGame/VillainousRavensburger ''Disney Villainous'']], this Cyclops is actually Arges, whom in the Myths was an intelligent ally of the Gods, making this a case of AdaptationalVillainy and AdaptationalDumbass.

* ''Film/The7thVoyageOfSinbad'' features cyclopes, which look like giant one-eyed satyrs. One has a single horn in its forehead, while the other has two. Granted, this movie is based more on Arabic legends than Greek, but medieval Arabic culture was ''heavily'' influenced by the Greeks, so it's not that big of a leap. These cyclops are man eaters, but are [[CookingTheLiveMeal smart enough to cook their food]].

* Myth/ClassicalMythology:
** Cyclops appear many times, usually as intelligent giant humanoids with connections to the Gods. Interestingly all Cyclops with known ancestry are shown to be the children of various gods, none of which were Cyclopean, raising the question of whether or not cyclops are actually their own race. Unlike other works of fictions, Cyclops are not treated as monsters or [[AlwaysChaoticEvil inherently evil]].
** The first introduced cyclopes in Greek myth were the brothers, Arges, Brontes and Steropes. They were the Hesiodian cyclopes who were brothers of the Titans and master craftsmen, and the arimapsi who were archenemies of [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent griffins]]. These cyclops were grotesque, but also very intelligent beings that forged many [[PublicDomainArtifact many famous artifacts from the mythology]]. The cyclopes become firm allies of their gods after Zeus accepted them despite their grotesque appearance and eventually worked with Hephastus, the god of forging.
** These are also the Homeric cyclopes by mythology scholars, since they come from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' by Homer. These Cyclopes are wandering giants that live in caves and herd sheep for a living. The cyclopes of Homer-derived myths are all (or at least mostly) children of the ocean god [[LordOfTheOcean Poseidon]] (which probably explains why they tend to be island-dwelling). The only named cyclops among them is Polyphemus whom was known for having [[ImAHumanitarian Humans on the list of things he will eat]] but they aren not the only thing he will eat. DependingOnTheWriter, the other cyclopes on the island may share Polyphemus taste. Though Polyphemus was a savage brute, in contrast to many depictions of cyclopes in modern media, he was still a sapient being and not just a savage beast. Later writers even depict Polyphemus as having a [[HiddenDepths passion for music and art]].
** The appearance of the Cyclops was also subject to DependingOnTheArtist; some depicted the Cyclops with an eye under their brow where a human pair of eyes would be, others depicted Cyclops as having an eye on their forehead above the empty eye-sockets under their brow.

** Cyclopes appear as recurring enemies, typically resembling hulking, neckless giants with a bulging white eye; some have horns. Kratos typically kills them by ripping or stabbing out their eyes. Unlike greek mythology, most of them seem to be just wild monsters instead of intelligent beings. It is later explained in [[VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok ''Valhalla'']] that Cyclopes being originally peaceful islanders that made a living as shepherds, until the Gods and Titans kidnapped them to use as a SlaveRace to use as SlaveMooks. As a result, the current generation of Cyclops are a FormerlySapientSpecies.

* ''VideoGame/TacticsOgre'': The cyclops class appears as a member of the giant family and a playable non humanoid class. Cyclops cannot equip weapons or armor, but unlike the non humanoid units, the Cyclops is faster and can use items. The class can also attack with toxic breath. In the later remakes such as ''Reborn'', the Cyclops class is given new attacks which are usually based off their lack of hygiene. Additionally Cyclops gain the ability to use magical spells like humanoid units. Due to their brutish appearance and tusks, the Cyclops are sometimes mistaken for [[OurOgresAreHungrier the titular Ogres]] by fans.

* '''Arges type:''' These Cyclopses are more and advanced intelligent beings who are skilled at inventing, often they may be portrayed as reclusive {{Ultimate Blacksmith}}s. They may also have innate psychic or magical powers.

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' manages to have both types. The BlindSeer, Fasir, tells a story about a brutish cyclops, Fashoom, whom pillaged and ravaged the land until his [[CainAndAbel noble brother]] put a stop to him by [[TakenForGranite by turning his brother to stone]]. [[SealedEvilInACan Fashoom is later accidentally released]] and resumes his rampage until Aladdin stops him. At the end of the episode, Fasir takes off his blindfold revealing a single eye on his face, showing he was the brother in the story. Both Fasir and Fashoom are shown to have magical powers, though the latter mainly resorts to EyeBeams.

* '''Polyphemus type:''' These Cyclopes are portrayed as dumb and brutish beings, whom are usually aggressive or even [[AlwaysChaoticEvil inherently hostile]]. At their most advanced they are usually barbarians and roving marauders; at their least, they're monstrous cavemen or barely above animals. They typically fight with crude and unsophisticated weapons such as PrimitiveClubs as archetypal {{Smash Mook}}s. They also tend to be aggressive and carnivorous, and with few compunctions about eating people.

* '''Arges type:''' These Cyclopses are more and advanced intelligent beings whom are skilled at inventing, often they may be portrayed as reclusive {{Ultimate Blacksmith}}s. They may also have innate psychic or even magical powers.

The former type tends to be more popular in fiction and is based off an [[CharacterExaggeration exaggerated version]] of Polyphemus, the antagonist in ''Literature/TheOdyssey''. It should be noted that Poylphemus was [[[[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch was the exception rather than the rule]] and whilst he fell for an obvious trick, was still a sapient being with a human-like occupation and hobbies. The reason, the savage depiction may be more popular probably relates to the popularity of ''The Odyssey'' as a story, as well as the Cyclops having a monstrous appearance.

* '''Polyphemus type:''' These Cyclopes are portrayed as dumb and brutish beings, whom are usually aggressive or even [[AlwaysChaoticEvil inherently hostile]]. At their most advanced they arere usually barbarians and roving marauders; at their least, they're monstrous cavemen or barely above animals. They typically fight with crude and unsophisticated weapons such as PrimitiveClubs as archetypal {{Smash Mook}}s. They also tend to be aggressive and carnivorous, and with few compunctions about eating people.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': The titular hero has to fight against a huge, brutish cyclops released by Hades alongside the titans after losing his phenomenal strength in a deal with the god of the underworld. Despite this handicap, Hercules still has his combat experience and plucky sidekick Pegasus and manages to defeat the giant by tying his legs with a rope and sending him plunging off a cliff.

* ''Film/The7thVoyageOfSinbad'' features cyclopes, which look like giant one-eyed satyrs. One has a single horn in its forehead, while the other has two. Granted, this movie is based more on Arabic legends than Greek, but medieval Arabic culture was ''heavily'' influenced by the Greeks, so it's not that big of a leap.

** The first introduced cyclopes in Greek myth were the brothers, Arges, Brontes and Steropes. They were the Hesiodian cyclopes who were brothers of the Titans and master craftsmen, and the arimapsi who were archenemies of [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent griffins]]. These cyclops were grotesque, but also very intelligent beings that forged many [[PublicDomaindArtifact many famous artifacts from the mythology]]. The cyclopes become firm allies of their gods after Zeus accepted them despite their grotesque appearance and eventually worked with Hephastus, the god of forging.
** These are also the Homeric cyclopes by mythology scholars, since they come from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' by Homer. These Cyclopes are wandering giants that live in caves and herd sheep for a living. The cyclopes of Homer-derived myths are all (or at least mostly) children of the ocean god [[LordOfTheOcean Poseidon]] (which probably explains why they tend to be island-dwelling). The most famous example is Polyphemus from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'', whom was known for having [[ImAHumanitarian Humans on the list of things he will eat]] but it's not the only thing he will eat. DependingOnTheWriter, other cyclopes may share Polyphemus taste. Though Polyphemus was a savage brute, in contrast to many depictions of cyclopes in modern media, he was still a sapient being and not just a savage beast. Later writers even depict Polyphemus as having a passion for music and art.

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'': Cyclopes appear as recurring enemies, typically resembling hulking, neckless giants with a bulging white eye; some have horns. Kratos typically kills them by ripping or stabbing out their eyes. Unlike greek mythology, most of them seem to be just wild monsters instead of intelligent beings. Polyphemus himself also appears in a multiplayer map in ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', where his backstory as Poseidon's son is retained.

Cyclopes are typically portrayed as dumb and brutish beings. At their most advanced they're usually barbarians and roving marauders; at their least, they're monstrous cavemen or barely above animals. They typically fight with crude and unsophisticated weapons such as PrimitiveClubs as archetypal {{Smash Mook}}s. They also tend to be aggressive and carnivorous, and with few compunctions about eating people. Subversions tend to take inspiration from their mythical status as master smiths in service of the Greek gods, in which case they may be portrayed as reclusive {{Ultimate Blacksmith}}s. Some works will combine these two archetypes, either by having them as distinct kinds or populations or by having the modern primitive brutes be descended from a fallen empire ruled by much more advanced, skillful cyclopes.

** These are known as Homeric cyclopes by mythology scholars, since they come from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' by Homer. They are big, dumb, uncivilized giants who live in caves and herd sheep for a living. The cyclopes of Homer-derived myths are all (or at least mostly) children of the ocean god [[LordOfTheOcean Poseidon]] (which probably explains why they tend to be island-dwelling). [[ImAHumanitarian Humans are on the list of things they will eat]] but it's not the only thing they will eat. The most famous example is Polyphemus from ''Literature/TheOdyssey''.
** There were other cyclopes in Greek myth that didn't fit this trope. Those being the Hesiodian cyclopes who were brothers of the Titans and master craftsmen, and the arimapsi who were archenemies of [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent griffins]]. There are also the Graiai, three hag sisters who have only one eye and one tooth to share between them (though they're usually portrayed as humanoid, with two eye sockets each). Perseus steals their eye and holds it hostage until they give him the information he needs about how to kill Medusa.

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'': Cyclopes appear as recurring enemies, typically resembling hulking, neckless giants with a bulging white eye; some have horns. Kratos typically kills them by ripping or stabbing out their eyes.

* ''VideoGame/DayDreaminDavey'': There is a cyclops in a Greek mythology-inspired stage that Davey has to destroy by attacking his eye. In reality, the "cyclops" he imagined state turns out to be a girl whom he just hit in the eye in class.

[[{{Cyclops}}Cyclopes]] are monstrous beings originating in Myth/ClassicalMythology. Their most defining characteristic is their single eye, usually located in the middle of their foreheads. Besides that, they're usually depicted as giant, muscular humanoids, and often have additional monstrous traits such as tusks or a single horn above their eye.

Cyclopes are monstrous beings originating in Myth/ClassicalMythology. Their most defining characteristic is their single eye, usually located in the middle of their foreheads. Besides that, they're usually depicted as giant, muscular humanoids, and often have additional monstrous traits such as tusks or a single horn above their eye.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':
** Diana and Comicbook/WonderGirl once had to deal with Cyclon, the giant, one-eyed progeny of Polyphemus and Medusa. Fortunately, he turned out to be friendly.

** There were other cyclopes in Greek myth that didn't fit this trope. Those being the Hesiodian cyclopes who were brothers of the Titans and master craftsmen, and the arimapsi who were archenemies of [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent griffins]].

[[folder:Mythology]]

!!Examples

[[folder:Films -- Live Action]]

** ''TabletopGame/MazesAndMinotaurs'', a version of ''D&D'' developed as a "WhatIf Creator/GaryGygax inspired himself from Classical Antiquity instead of Tolkien and HeroicFantasy?", naturally features cyclopes. The Gigantic Cyclops are the stupid and brutish version, described as "as stupid as they are huge" and "their existence is entirely governed by their brutish instincts". The Lesser Cyclops are those working in forges.

** The Mythic Age Greek HeroUnit for the Greeks who worship Poseidon is Polyphemus. It's one of the hardest-hitting hero units in the game outside the campaigns.

** Cyclopes appear as [[SuperpoweredMooks Myth Units]] if you progress to Classical Age with Ares.
** Another cyclops, Gargarensis, is the BigBad of the original campaign.

* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' has cyclopes as a recurring type of SmashMook enemy throughout the series, typically with blue skin and a single horn. In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'', one of the grotto bosses is Atlas, an oversized Cyclops PaletteSwap [[spoiler:who happens to be the strength of God incarnate]] so huge that lakes and ponds are said to be his footprints.

** ''TabletopGame/MazesAndMinotaurs'', a version of ''D&D'' developed as a "WhatIf Creator/GaryGygax inspired himself from Classical Antiquity instead of Tolkien?", naturally features cyclopes. The Gigantic Cyclops are the stupid and brutish version, described as "as stupid as they are huge" and "their existence is entirely governed by their brutish instincts". The Lesser Cyclops are those working in forges.

* ''Webcomic/GastroPhobia'': A villainous sorcerer has a miniature cyclops as his familiar (which looks like the classical cyclops, but is about the size of a human child). The sorcerer does make it grow into the traditional giant size so it can fight Gastro--but he transforms it into a "biclops" in the process, which has twice as many eyes and is therefore twice as dangerous. The biclops is still distinct from a regular giant because its eyes are arranged vertically, rather than horizontally.

* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey'': Brontes, a cyclops from Greek mythology, appears as a boss fight at the end of a side-quest line. Arges and Steropes are later added as BonusBoss enemies for high-level characters via patch.

* ''ComicBook/Exiles2018'': When the Exiles fall into a world based on stories from the ''Thousand and One Nights'', they come across an island where Sinbad's crew is attacked by cyclopses, except the giants all bear the distinctive visor of the mutant ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/SinbadLegendOfTheSevenSeas'': A deleted scene shows Sinbad and his crew being attacked by cyclopses. The DVD includes the scene with a "choose your own adventure"-esque feature that lets the viewer choose which character's point-of-view they want to see the scene from.

** These are known as Homeric cyclopses by mythology scholars, since they come from ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' by Homer. They are big, dumb, uncivilized giants who live in caves and herd sheep for a living. The cyclopses of Homer-derived myths are all (or at least mostly) children of the ocean god [[LordOfTheOcean Poseidon]] (which probably explains why they tend to be island-dwelling). [[ImAHumanitarian Humans are on the list of things they will eat]] but it's not the only thing they will eat. The most famous example is Polyphemus from ''Literature/TheOdyssey''.
** There were other cyclopses in Greek myth that didn't fit this trope. Those being the Hesiodian cyclopses who were brothers of the Titans and master craftsmen, and the arimapsi who were archenemies of [[OurGryphonsAreDifferent griffins]].

* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic'': Cyclopses have been units used by the [[BarbarianTribe Stronghold Faction]] in every game since the first, and are always [[EliteMooks one of the higher tier units]] available to the faction. Their appearance and fighting style varies from game to game. Enrothian cyclopses from the first four games are more humanoid, and fight using EyeBeams in the first two games and by hurling boulders in the third and fourth. Ashanian cyclopses from [[VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagicAshan the fifth game onwards]] are the product of failed experiments that involved using demon blood to induce mutations in humans, and have a much more monstrous appearance. They fight with giant clubs, but some also have EyeBeams and/or the ability to [[FastballSpecial pick up and hurl friendly goblins as live ammo]].

* ''Videogame/TheWitcher3WildHunt'': Cyclopses are Ogroid monsters native to the Skellige Isles (which is home to various other monsters inspired by [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]] including [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies Harpies]], [[SirensAreMermaids Sirens]] and Ekhidnas). They're {{Smash Mook}}s who fight with their fists and with {{Shockwave Stomp}}s, hitting hard but telegraphing their attacks. Their entry in the bestiary includes a quote from a traveller named Odess Thaka who was killed while trying to blind a cyclops with a sharpened stake, as a ShoutOut to Polyphemus from ''Literature/TheOdyssey''.

* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones'' has Cyclops as an advanced tier Monster unit. They wield massive [[AnAxeToGrind axes]] with [[MightyGlacier high HP, Strength, and Defense at the cost of Skill and Speed]].