In Greek mythology, the Cercopes were mischievous forest creatures who lived in Thermopylae or on Euboea. They were two brothers, Passalus and Acmon, sons of Theia and Oceanus.
They were liars, cheats, and accomplished knaves. They once stole Heracles' weapons. He punished them by tying them to a stick with their faces pointing downwards. Zeus changed the Cercopes into monkeys. Zeus turns them to stone for trying to deceive him. Acmon, companion of Diomede, insults Venus and is turned into a bird.
