Greek Mythology’s Version of the Biblical Tower of Babel

The account of the Tower of Babel is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. What many people don’t know is that there is a similar story in Greek mythology, just as Greek mythology has its own version of the Biblical story of Noah’s Flood. This is the legend of Otus and Ephialtes and their attempt to reach the gods of Olympus.

Who were Otus and Ephialtes?

Otus and Ephialtes were two Thessalian princes who supposedly lived very early in Greece’s history. In some versions, they were the sons of King Aloeus. For this reason, they were often known as the Aloadae or the Aloads.

In other versions, their real father is Poseidon. In any case, their mother was always Iphimedeia, a Thessalian princess. According to Greek mythology, she would regularly go to the shore and scoop seawater into her lap. This eventually led to Poseidon, god of the seas, getting her pregnant.

According to Homer’s Odyssey, Otus and Ephialtes were giants. At just nine years of age, they were both nine fathoms, or over 50 feet, tall! They were also famed for their great strength.

Greek mythology’s version of the Tower of Babel

The story of Otus and Ephialtes bears some interesting similarities to the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible. According to Homer, Otus and Ephialtes were so mighty that they threatened the Olympic gods themselves.

To wage war on the gods, the Aloadae attempted to reach the heavenly abode and attack it. Similar to the story of the Tower of Babel, these two giants endeavored to construct a very tall structure.

Their goal was to take divine wives for themselves. Otus intended to take Artemis, while Ephialtes wanted Hera. For this reason, they piled mountains on top of each other to climb up to the abode of the gods.

According to Homer, Pseudo-Apollodorus, and others, Otus and Ephialtes placed Mount Ossa (also known as Kissavos) on top of Mount Olympus, followed by placing Mount Pelion on top of Mount Ossa. However, before they could succeed in taking Hera and Artemis for themselves, the gods were able to thwart their plan.

In one version, Artemis took the form of a deer and ran between them. Since both brothers attempted to spear it, they ended up mortally wounding each other. Another version explains that the god Apollo killed them.

How the legend of Otus and Ephialtes is similar to the story of the Tower of Babel

There are several ways in which the Greek mythology legend of Otus and Ephialtes is similar to the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible. This is evident in the events that took place, the timing, and the individuals involved.

In terms of what happened, both stories involve people attempting to build a massive structure that would reach the heavens. There is no indication in the Bible’s account that the intention was to attack heaven. Nevertheless, the Bible describes the builders as wanting to make a tower “with its top in the heavens.”

What about when this happened? In the Bible’s account, this happens sometime relatively soon after the Flood. Since only Noah and his family survived the Flood, enough time must have passed for the population to expand again. Nevertheless, it occurred relatively early in mankind’s history.

Greek mythology identifies Otus and Ephialtes as the great-grandsons of Aeolus, the forefather of one of the principal Greek tribes. Additionally, Pausanias notes that they were the first to worship the Muses, the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts, situating them early in the history of mankind.

Regarding who was involved, the Greek accounts are inconsistent concerning who was involved. However, it is notable that Otus and Ephialtes were stopped by a divine being in every version. This is similar to how the Bible presents God as stopping the construction of the Tower of Babel.