In Greek mythology, Enceladus (Greek: Εγκελαδος, Enkelados, "sound the charge") was one of the Gigantes who waged war upon the gods. As one of the Gigantes, he was born when the blood of the castrated Uranus fell upon Gaea. Enceladus battled Athena and was buried under Mount Etna. He was thought to be the cause of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Other sources write that Enceladus was buried in Italy.
Nonnus writes that Gaea promised Enceladus Athena's hand in marriage if he could subdue Dionysus. However, Dionysus fought him with fire until Enceladus was killed by Zeus.
Virgil[]
Enceladus, his body lightning-scarred,
lies prisoned under all, so runs the tale:
o'er him gigantic Aetna breathes in fire
from crack and seam; and if he haply turn
to change his wearied side, Trinacria's isle
trembles and moans, and thick fumes mantle heaven.
Claudian[]
In the midst of the island rise the charred cliffs of Aetna, eloquent monument of Jove's victory over the Giants, the tomb of Enceladus, whose bound and bruised body breathes forth endless sulphur clouds from its burning wounds. Whene'er his rebellious shoulders shift their burden to the right or left, the island is shaken from its foundations and the walls of tottering cities sway this way and that.