In Greek mythology, Talos, also spelled Talus (/ˈteɪlɒs/;[1] Greek: Τάλως, Tálōs) or Talon (/ˈteɪlɒn, ən/; Greek: Τάλων, Tálōn), was a man of bronze who protected Crete from pirates and invaders. Despite the popular idea that he was a giant, no ancient source states this explicitly.[2]