Elara (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Elara /ˈɛlərə/, Elare or Alera (Ancient Greek: Ἐλάρα, Ἐλάραη or Ἀλέρα),[1] also called Larissa[2], was a mortal princess, the daughter of King Orchomenus and mother of the giant Tityos by Zeus.

[3][4] Zeus fell in love with Elara and hid her from his wife Hera's jealous rage by placing her deep beneath the Earth.

This was where she gave birth to Tityos, a giant who is sometimes said to be the son of Gaia, the Earth goddess, for the reason being an earth-born (γηγενής gigenis "native") and brought up under the earth.

It is further added that Elara died in labour because of the enormous size of her baby.

[5][6] The cave through which Tityos was believed to have come to the surface of Earth was located on Euboea and referred to as Elarion.