Cercopes

In Greek mythology, the Cercopes /sərˈkˌpz/ (Greek: Κέρκωπες, plural of Κέρκωψ, from κέρκος (n.) kerkos "tail") were mischievous forest creatures who lived in Thermopylae or on Euboea but roamed the world and might turn up anywhere mischief was afoot. They were two brothers, but their names are given variously:

  • Passalus /ˈpæsələs/ (Πάσσαλος) and Acmon /ˈækmən/ (Ἄκμων) or Aclemon
  • Basalas /ˈbæsələs/ (Βάσαλας) and Achemon /əˈkmən/ (Ἄχημων)
  • Olus /ˈləs/ (Ὤλος) and Eurybatus /jəˈrɪbətəs/ (Εὐρύβατος)
  • Candolus /ˌkænˈdləs/ (Κάνδωλος) and Atlantus /ətˈlæntəs/ (Ἄτλαντος)
  • Sillus /ˈsɪləs/ (Σίλλος) and Triballus /trɪˈbæləs/ (Τρίβαλλος)

Accounts of their origins vary depending on the context, but they are usually known as sons of Theia and Oceanus, thus ancient spirits.