Who Were the Telchines? The Malevolent Wizards From Greek Mythology

The Telchines were thought to be the original inhabitants of the island of Rhodes. They were also present on Ceos and Crete. Hesiod called them malignant wizards, and Ovid celebrated their legendary skill as artisans. They were described as fish-like creatures and demons who acted as guardians and nurtured Poseidon and Zeus. Although they often helped the gods, their hubris and lust for power eventually led to their downfall.

The origin of the Telchines is a topic of debate based on different Greek and Roman sources. Some accounts suggest that they are the offspring of Tartarus, the primordial father of monsters, and Nemesis, the Goddess of retribution. Other sources claim that the Telchines are the children of the primordial gods Pontus and Gaia, the personifications of the sea and the earth, respectively. Still, others believe that Thalassa, the female personification of the sea, is their mother.

In another version, the Telchines were created from Uranus’ blood. Uranus was the primordial god and personification of the sky. Uranus was castrated with a Scythe by his son, the Titan Cronos. In this version, the Telchines were formed when Uranus’ blood dripped onto the Earth, similar to how the furies and Aphrodite were created. Some also say that Poseidon was their father, but this account contradicts the limited information we have about these ancient beings.

Another similarity among the Telchines’ origin stories is their connection with the sea, although this theme is less prevalent than their association with the primordial gods. The Telchines’ connection with the sea provides some insight into their later roles in the early mythologies of ancient Greece.

The Telchines were strange creatures associated with the sea and often referred to as fish children. They were known to have fin-like hands and dog-like heads. Descriptions of them are similar to those of merfolk, with some accounts stating that they had a fish’s lower body and a human-like upper body. Their skin was described as rough, like echinoids or sea urchins, which are hard-shelled sea animals with venomous spikes.

However, the Telchines were not limited to the sea and were also said to be able to walk and live on land. Due to the limited information available about the Telchines, descriptions of them are fluid and varied, allowing them to adapt to different settings and functions, underwater and on land, depending on the account.

The Abilities of the Telchines

The Telchines are complex creatures with both benevolent and malevolent qualities. Their duality can be attributed to their two most prominent features: their formidable magical abilities, often referred to as demonic, and their unmatched metallurgic and artistic skills.

Malevolent Wizards 

The Telchines were renowned for their extraordinary magical abilities that defined their very existence. They were often referred to as sorcerers or wizards by ancient writers, and cautionary tales were told about the dangers of their powerful magic.

The Telchines had the ability to control nature itself, and their powers were believed to be on par with those of the mighty Olympians. They could create lightning and snow, manipulate the seas, and even bring about devastating earthquakes. Furthermore, the Telchines could produce a poisonous substance that could harm all living things.

In addition to their power, the Telchines could change their shape at will. However, their use of magic was mostly malevolent. They were known to cause harm and curse innocent people, making them a destructive force to be reckoned with. The Telchines were accused of committing a heinous act by mixing the waters of the Styx with sulfur in their hands and pouring it over the fertile fields of Rhodes. This act resulted in the destruction of all plant and animal life on the island.

The Telchines were feared for their magical abilities, but they were also known for their exceptional skills as artisans and metallurgists. They were believed to be the first to work and shape iron and bronze into tools and weapons. Their excellent skills as metallurgists led to the creation of remarkable objects that benefited the Titans and the Olympians. Their creations cemented their status as some of the most skilled artisans of their time.

The Telchines created two of Greek mythology’s most famous magical artifacts: the Scythe of the Titans Cronos and the Trident of Poseidon. The Scythe of Cronus, used to castrate Uranus, the primordial personification of the sky, was the first weapon created in the mythological canon. The Trident of Poseidon is also one of the most identifiable symbols from Greek mythology, often used to represent both Poseidon and the Telchines themselves.

The Telchines’ metallurgy skills were not always necessarily benevolent. For instance, Hephaestus tasked them with assisting him with forging Harmonia’s cursed necklace. Despite the cursed nature of the creation, the Telchines were still working for the benefit of the Olympians, in contrast to their use of magic, often performed in opposition to the gods.

The Telchines were known not only for their skills in metallurgy but also for stone sculpting. They were the first to create marble statues of the gods, and the ancient Greeks highly regarded their masterpieces. According to the historian Diodorus Siculus, the Telchines were responsible for crafting statues of Apollo and Hera on the island of Rhodes in Lindus and Camirus, respectively.

There are two interesting myths about the Telchines, both of which involve raising two important Olympian gods. According to one myth, the Titaness Rhea entrusted the Telchines with caring for Poseidon, the future sea god Capheira, an Oceanid Sea nymph who nursed the infant Poseidon, aided them. The Telchines’ close association with Poseidon was further strengthened when they created his Trident after he gained power over the sea.

According to some versions of the myth, the Telchines were crucial in Zeus’s upbringing. In this version of the myth, Rhea takes nine Telchines from Rhodes to Crete and tasks them with protecting and nurturing Zeus in a cave on Mount Ida. These nine Telchines were later known as the Kouretes, and they protected the infant Zeus from his father, Cronos, by performing a frenzied dance. During this dance, they would bang their shields and spears together to drown out the sound of the infant’s cries.

The association between the Telchines and the Kouretes is not certain. The Kouretes were also considered daemons or spirits, like the Telchines, but they presided over mountains, hunting, beekeeping, and shepherding on the island of Crete. Unlike the Telchines, the Kouretes had no connection to the sea. However, both the Telchines and the Kouretes are credited with inventing metalworking. It seems that this shared similarity, along with their respective care for an Olympian, led to the two groups being merged into one at some point in history.

Downfall

One constant theme in myths about the Telchines is their eventual downfall. The exact catalyst for their downfall was the Telchines’ hubris, as they turned to evil magic and lusted for power. The Telchines are benevolent servants of the gods and vindictive sorcerers, but these depictions do not occur simultaneously. It seems that initially, the Telchines began as dedicated servants of the gods and Titans, offering their skills as artisans and protectors.

The Telchines’ behaviour took a turn for the worse after they created Poseidon’s Trident. They became engrossed in pursuing methods to create more powerful items and fixated on acquiring other means of power. The Telchines tapped into new and destructive types of magic that allowed them complete mastery over the weather and the earth. This new obsession transformed the Telchines’ reputation from respected artisans entrusted with the care of Rhea’s sons to malevolent sorcerers who jealously coveted their power. The Telchines began to cause harm and place curses on any who tried to learn their secret art.

The Olympians became concerned about the Telechine’s use of destructive magic. However, the final straw was when they mixed the waters of the river Styx with sulphur, poisoning all living things on Rhodes Island. The reason for this act of destruction is not apparent in many sources. In a later Roman account by Nonnus, it is suggested that the Telchines performed this foul magic as revenge against the Heliades, who had driven them out of Rhodes. The Heliades were the seven sons of Helios, the sun god, and Rhode, a sea nymph goddess who personified the island of Rhodes.

There are different versions of the story of how Telchines were destroyed. In some accounts, Zeus destroys them with thunderbolts or creates a flood that sinks them into the sea. Other versions claim that the Telchines were driven off the island of Rhodes when Zeus caused a great deluge to punish humanity, and they weren’t explicitly killed for their malevolent magic or hubris. In other versions, Poseidon destroys the Telchines using the Trident they created for him. In some accounts, Apollo transforms into a wolf and kills the Telchines, leading to their demise. After being defeated, the Telchines were banished to Tartarus by the gods.

Unfortunately, very little information about the Telchines has survived over time. Although several ancient writers mention them, they only do so briefly and often present contradictory images of these elusive beings. The Telchines are often confused with other mythological figures like the Cyclopes who lived underwater and forged Zeus’s thunder, the Kouretes dancers from Crete, and the ancient smiths and healers, the Dactyls.

These strange and rustic figures share a common talent for metalworking and, to some extent, control over nature. However, their unique duality sets the Telchines apart as celebrated artisans and demonic wizards who possess the ability to both create and destroy. The Telchines illustrate how myths and stories can manifest figures over history, shifting and changing to suit context and narrative.