Places of the Myth of Enceladus and the birth of Sicily

Gicantomachia from Temple E of Selinunte (Athena striking Enceladus)

The myth (similar to that of Typhon) is linked to the figure of Enceladus, one of the Giants who participated in the so-called Gigantomachy, the battle between the Giants and the gods of Olympus. During the battle Enceladus tried to escape but the goddess Athena buried him under a huge mound of earth that she collected from the coast of the continent. Defeated Enceladus became an integral part of the land that was known as the island of Sicily. 

His body is said to be lying under the island with:

• the big toe of the right foot under the Mount Erice,
• the right leg towards Palermo, the other towards Mazara,
• the bust is in the center of the island below Enna,
• arms towards Messina one and verse SIRACUSA the other one,
• his head and his mouth under theEtna that breathes fire at every cry of the giant.

Every now and then the terrible creature tries to rise and then Sicily is hit by an earthquake, but Athena watches over the island, and will not allow the giant to awaken. In fact, the myth tells that the volcanic activity of Etna originated from the fiery breath of Enceladus, while the earth tremors during earthquakes, from its rolling under the mountain due to injuries 

Fight between Athena and Enceladus, on an Attic plate (XNUMXth century BC). Louvre Museum.

A memory of Enceladus buried under Etna comes from Virgilio - "Aeneid" Book III:

…

It is fame, that by the lightning struck
And not extinct, under this bulk
The body of superb Enceladus lies;
And that when for grief and laxity
He is overwhelmed, or sighing longs,
The mountain and the whole Trinacria are shaken;
And the fire coming out of the wounded chest
Through the caves murmuring exhales,
And all around the countryside is the sky
Of wicked thunder and pumice and smoke.

…

Park of the Palace of Versailles: Grove of Enceladus

Giants killed by Hercules - Villa Romana del Casale

Places indicated in the IWB register of the Sicily Region (Places of Identity and Memory) - Sector "Places of gods and minor divinities"

• Etna volcano

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