Web Theoi
Greek Name Transliteration Latin Spelling Translation
Συκευς Sykeus Syceus Fig-tree (sykea)

SYKEUS (or Syceus) was one of the Gigantes who waged war on the gods. Fleeing from Zeus, his mother Gaia (the Earth) hid him in her bossom, transforming him into the first fig-tree.

GAIA (Athenaeus 78a)

Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 78a (trans. Gullick) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to C3rd A.D.) :
"Speaking of the name given to figs (sykon), Tryphon, in the second book of the History of Plants, says that Androtion, in the Farmer’s Handbook, tells the story that Sykeus (Syceus), one of the Titanes, was pursued by Zeus and taken under the protection of his mother, Ge (the Earth), and that she caused the plant [the fig-tree] to grow for her son's pleasure; from him also the city of Sykea in Kilikia (Cicilia) got its name."


  • Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae - Greek Rhetorician C3rd A.D.