[an-tee-uh
s] 
| an African giant who was invincible when in contact with the earth but was lifted into the air by Hercules and crushed. |
| An·tae·us (ān-tē'əs) n. Greek Mythology A giant wrestler who could not be defeated as long as he remained in contact with the earth. Hercules defeated him by lifting him off the ground. |
Antaeus
in Greek mythology, a giant of Libya, the son of the sea god Poseidon and the Earth goddess Gaea. He compelled all strangers who were passing through the country to wrestle with him. Whenever Antaeus touched the Earth (his mother), his strength was renewed, so that even if thrown to the ground, he was invincible. Heracles, in combat with him, discovered the source of his strength and, lifting him up from Earth, crushed him to death.
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