Cyclops are figures in Greek mythology who differ from one another in terms of origin, appearance, location and properties. What they have in common is the unusual appearance of the eyes as circular eyes or as a single eye on the forehead. Three types of Cyclopes were already distinguished in antiquity: the Hesiodian thunderstorm demons, which were later reinterpreted as volcanic demons, the Homeric giants and finally the mythical builders.
The better-known Cyclops, whom Odysseus met on his wanderings according to Homer`s Odyssey, were the sons of Poseidon. Odysseus and his men had great difficulties with Polyphem in particular: he locked Odysseus and twelve of his companions in his cave and ate six of the men before Odysseus and his remaining companions managed to escape by tricking and blinding Polyphemus. Homer does not describe the Cyclops as one-eyed, possibly because he assumes that one-eyed is known.
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