Tradition / Region: Azerbaijani and Turkic mythology
Alternate Names: —
Category: Giant
The Myth
Tepegöz is a huge one-eyed giant who dwells in a cave and feeds on humans. When angered, he forces people inside his lair, where none escape alive. His sense of smell is keen, and he can track victims even in darkness.
There is only one way to survive him. A person must hide beneath a sheep’s skin so the giant cannot detect their scent. When the moment comes, Tepegöz can be slain only by driving a sharp sword into his single eye.
Though powerful and terrifying, Tepegöz is slow-witted. Those who rely on cunning rather than strength alone may overcome him, proving that brute force without intelligence is doomed to fall.