Gigas

A gigas is a member of the gigantes, a human-sized race of great strength and aggression. They are the offspring of Gaia, born from the blood that fell when Ouranos was castrated by his Titan son Kronos. Gigantes are man-sized hoplites fully human in form. The vanquished gigantes buried under mountains cause the volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in Greece and Asia Minor.

The gigas king Eurymedon is great-hearted (μεγαλήτορος), and his people are insolent (ὑπερθύμοισι) and froward (ἀτάσθαλος). The gigantes are strong (κρατερῶν) and great (μεγάλους), able to throw rocks that men can only lift. It is said gigantes are born with gleaming armor, holding long spears in their hands. The gigantes are also characterized by their excesses. Their culture is full of excessive violence, they are arrogant, and, when the gigantes are defeated, the Greeks describe them as being destroyed by hybris.

The gigantes are the ancestors of the Phaiakians and the Laistrygones are said to be more gigantes than men.

Etymology
The name Gigantes is usually taken to imply 'earthborn' (the actual word being gegeneis).