Before the Age of the Olympian Gods, the world was ruled by the Titans. The Titans were the offspring of Uranus (sky) and Gaia (earth) and were themselves powerful gods. Cronus (known as Saturn among the Romans) was the leader of this generation of divine beings. Gaia, his mother, foretold that one of Cronus' children would overthrow him. The prophecy disturbed Cronus deeply, so he decided to take action. He demanded that his wife Rhea deliver to him her offspring as soon as they were born. Cronus wished to secure his reign by swallowing his children.