In classical mythology, a cyclops is a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single round eye in the middle of its forehead. They are fabled to inhabit Sicily, and to assist in the workshops of Vulcan, under Mt. Etna. Cyclops are thought to be sons Neptune and Amphitrite. The name cyclops means "round-eyed" or "circle-eyed". They are thought to be dangerous.

The most famous early literary mention of the Cyclops was in Homer's Odyssey when Odysseus landed on the island of the Cyclops on his journey home from the Trojan War. He encountered the Cyclops Polyphemus, who trapped Odysseus and his men in a cave, and proceeded to eat them one by one as food. Odysseus devised a plan to escape by offering strong wine to the Cyclops. When Polyphemus became intoxicated, the surviving men drove a sharp stake into his single eyeball, blinding him they escaped.