hekaton

Hekaton is the Greek term for the number hundred, derived from ἑκατόν (hekatón). In ancient Greek, it functioned as a cardinal numeral and served as a root in various compound forms. The English transliteration hekaton or hecaton appears primarily in historical or etymological discussions rather than in everyday language.

One of the most familiar derivatives is hecatomb (from ἑκατόμβη), originally a sacrifice of a hundred oxen and later a general term for a large sacrifice or slaughter. Hecatombs are described in classical Greek literature and inscriptions as part of religious rituals performed for the gods, often signaling major auspices or communal events.

In Greek mythology, the Hekatonkheires, meaning “Hundred-Handed,” are three primordial giants with a total of a hundred hands and fifty heads. They play roles in early cosmology and in the Titans’ overthrow, though they are eventually freed and allied with Zeus against the Titans.

Outside of these classical terms, hekaton functions primarily as a historical or linguistic root in discussions of ancient Greek vocabularies and their influence on later languages. In modern usage, it is chiefly of interest to scholars studying Greek language, mythology, and the etymology of related English words.