Cercopes

In Greek mythology, the Cercopes /sərˈkoʊˌpiːz/ (Greek: Κέρκωπες, plural of Κέρκωψ, from κέρκος (n.) kerkos "tail")^[1] 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)^[2] or Aclemon^[3]
• Basalas /ˈbæsələs/ (Βάσαλας) and Achemon /əˈkiːmən/ (Ἄχημων)^{[citation needed]}
• Olus /ˈoʊləs/ (Ὤλος) and Eurybatus /jəˈrɪbətəs/ (Εὐρύβατος)^[4]
• Candolus /ˌkænˈdoʊləs/ (Κάνδωλος) and Atlantus /ətˈlæntəs/ (Ἄτλαντος)^{[citation needed]}
• Sillus /ˈsɪləs/ (Σίλλος) and Triballus /trɪˈbæləs/ (Τρίβαλλος)^[5]

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