There are several myths where Cyclopes are mentioned, most describe two generations. The first generation was the children of Uranus and Gaia. There were three brothers; Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. Since Uranus hated his offspring, the Cyclopes, along with the other offspring of Uranus, were kept deep in the earth at what was known as Tartarus. After the castration of Uranus by Cronos, the Cyclopes were freed for a short period of time, before the paranoid Cronos sent them back to Tartarus.

When Zeus battled his father, Cronos, and defeated him and the Titans, Zeus released the Cyclopes and took them to Mount Olympus to live. The Cyclopes were skilled metal workers and they created Zeus' thunderbolts, Poseidon's trident and Hades' helmet of darkness. It was the creation of the thunderbolt that would be the demise of the first generation of Cyclopes. Zeus, with his thunderbolt, struck Asclepius, son of Apollo because he had raised a person from the dead. Since Apollo could not retaliate against Zeus, Apollo punished Zeus by killing the Cyclopes.

The second generation of Cyclopes are shepherds not metal workers living on an island, believed to be Sicily. One of the Cyclopes is named Polyphemus and is the son of Poseidon and Thoösa. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus lands on the Cyclopes' island and end up in Polyphemus' cave.

When Polyphemus returned and discovered Odysseus and his men, he ate two of the men and then went to sleep in front of the entrance to the cave. The next morning after his Greek breakfast (two Greek men on a piece of toast with a big glass of goat's milk), the Cyclops took his sheep out to pasture and blocked the entrance to the cave with a huge boulder. Odysseus and his remaining men made a spear from Polyphemus's walking stick and awaited the giants return. That evening after two more men were gone, Odysseus gave Polyphemus a cup of very intoxicating glass of wine. After passing out, Odysseus sticks the spear in the Cyclops eye. Blinded, Polyphemus searches for the men without having any luck, so he stands by the entrance of the cave not letting anything out except the sheep. Odysseus and the remaining men grasped onto the bellies of the sheep and got out of the cave. Being the bold person that he was, Odysseus shouted his name from his ship so Polyphemus could hear him. Enraged, Polyphemus asked his father to curse Odysseus.

Dan: I am here at the Beverly Hills Hilton with William Retina. William what have you been doing over the past couple of millenniums?

William: Trying to stay low key and please call me Willy. It seems my size and looks still scare people. I am still into raising the sheep and goats, but have expanded with cows and horses. I also have several vineyards in California and in Italy. Odysseus really got my people hooked on wine. I have dabbled in the stock market since its inception.

Dan: Where do you live?

William: I have ranches in Montana and in South America, where my cattle operations are located. The vineyards are in Napa Valley, California and in the Tuscany region of Italy. I still have a place in Sicily that I go to at least three times a year. It helps me get back to nature.

Dan: Have you considered getting into the spotlight?

William: I have been lucky since the tabloids have been out that I have not made the cover. I still feel that people are not ready to deal with me the way I am now. I could have the altering surgery like my cousin, the famous wrestler, Andre the Giant. I love to watch the WWF, but wrestling is not for me. I am a businessman and even with the surgery, I don't think that the corporate world would accept me.

Dan: Could movies be in your future? I loved the part that you played in the two Sinbad movies.

William: Thank you, I had a great time doing those movies. It was hard for the first couple of days of shooting, but the crew got used to me and we had a good time. To be honest, I have looked at several scripts in the past couple of months. Both Arnold and Sly have approached me to be in their movies. I am currently reviewing a script from a University of Central Oklahoma student that I met on the web.

Dan: I know from my research that you are worth a lot of money but the latest "Forbes 400" list just came out and I didn't see your name listed. How come?

William: All of my corporate assets are under my company in Italy, so I don't show any profits in the U.S. Yes, it is true that I have amassed a huge amount of wealth, but being on a list does not mean anything to me.

Dan: What contributions to the world do you want to be known for?

William: I am not a showpiece for any corporation or charity. I donate millions of dollars a year anonymously to charities that I feel are worthy. I do not have an ego that needs to be stroked by having my face plastered over papers and magazines for an effort that I made.

Dan: In looking at your past, how has your diet changed?

William: I still like the taste of human flesh, as a matter of fact, I stopped on the way over and ate a bum. (ha, ha, ha). Just kidding. I quit eating humans shortly after Odysseus left my island. I tell you what; those Greeks gave me gas that you would not believe. The gas build up was so bad that I almost blew up my cave. My neighbor, Joey, came over and he passed out. Seriously though, I work out three times a week with weights and do cardio-work four times a week. I eat a well balanced diet of chicken and fish, meat maybe once a week and load up on fruits and veggies. My doctor has told me that I need to cut back on my cheese and ice cream intake, but I can't. I still drink milk for breakfast and lunch, and have a glass of wine with my dinner.

Dan: How has your love life been?

William: It has been tough for me. Lately, it seems like the women I have seen tend to leave me for "bigger freaks," like Dennis Rodman. I still can't believe that Carmen left me for him. I would like to settle down and have kids. I think in the next couple of years, I might look into adoption if miss right doesn't come along. I am not going to live forever and I would like to have an heir for my estate.

Dan: Willy, I know you need to leave, so one final question: How do you picture your future?

William: I try to live each day of my life as if it is my last. I enjoy every part of my day; from waking up to going to sleep. I will continue as I have for centuries, working hard and enjoying life.

Parada, Carlos, Greek Mythology Link, www.hsa.brown.edu/maicar/CYCLOPES.html

Parada, Carlos, Greek Mythology Link, www.hsa.brown.edu/maicar/Underworld.html

Parada, Carlos, Greek Mythology Link, www.hsa.brown.edu/maicar/Polyphemus.html

Baldwin, Anna, Encyclopedia Mythica, Cyclopes, www.pantheon.org/mythica/articles/c/cyclopes.html

Bulfinch's Mythology, www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/bulfinch/bull29.html

Greek Mythology, Cyclopes, www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Cyclopes/cyclopes.html