Antaeus

In Greek mythology, Antaeus was a giant who resided in Libya, where he forced anyone passing through to engage in a wrestling match with him. He was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Gaia, the goddess of the earth. Due to his mother Gaia’s influence, Antaeus grew stronger each time he made contact with the earth. This made him unbeatable, and he killed all his challengers, using their skulls to construct a roof for a temple dedicated to Poseidon.

During one of his labors, the Greek hero Hercules traveled through Libya and was confronted by Antaeus. Despite his immense strength, Hercules struggled to defeat the giant. However, he soon realized that Antaeus’s power came from the earth itself. To overcome him, Hercules lifted Antaeus off the ground, preventing him from drawing strength from the earth. Gradually, Antaeus’s strength waned, and Hercules ultimately crushed him to death.