Antaeus, a figure from Greek mythology, was the gigantic son of Gaia (Earth) and Poseidon (Sea). He was invincible as long as he remained in contact with the ground, his mother. His strength quite literally flowed up from the soil: every time his feet touched the earth, he was recharged with fresh energy. Antaeus lived in Libya and forced every passer-by to fight him, defeating them and collecting their skulls to build a temple for his father. His fate changed when Heracles (Hercules) met him during the hero’s Twelve Labours. In their struggle Heracles noticed that Antaeus grew stronger whenever he hit the ground.
Antaeus got Hugged
Year
2025
Material
Sold
Dimensions
60 x 60 cm
So instead of hurling him down again, Heracles hoisted him into the air, away from the earth. Held aloft in a crushing embrace high above the ground, Antaeus weakened, and Heracles was finally able to kill him. The story of Antaeus symbolizes the power one can draw from a connection to one’s origins, homeland, or identity, but it also shows that even the mightiest heroes become vulnerable when that bond is broken.
Can we pull the plug on digital infinity, and it’s over?
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