The Story of Atlas
Atlas was a son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, and the brother of Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was famed for his enormous strength and endurance. While his brother Prometheus was known for cleverness, Atlas was known for power.
When the young Olympian gods rose up against Cronus, Atlas fought on the side of the Titans. In some tellings he was one of their leading warriors. After ten years of war, the Olympians won, and Zeus set about punishing those who had fought against him.
Most of the defeated Titans were thrown into Tartarus, but Atlas was given a special sentence. Zeus condemned him to stand at the western edge of the world and hold up the sky on his shoulders forever. There, near the garden of the Hesperides, he bore the weight of the heavens without rest.
Atlas had many children, including the Pleiades, seven sisters who were later placed among the stars, and the Hyades. In many tellings he was also the father of the Hesperides, the nymphs who guarded the golden apples. Through his daughter Maia, he became the grandfather of the god Hermes.
One day Heracles arrived, sent to fetch the golden apples as one of his twelve labors. He offered to hold the sky while Atlas went to get them, and Atlas gladly agreed. When he returned with the apples, he decided Heracles could keep the burden, but the hero asked him to take it back for a moment so he could pad his shoulders, and then walked away with the apples.
In another tale told by Ovid, Atlas refused shelter to the hero Perseus, fearing that a son of Zeus had come to steal his golden apples. Perseus held up the head of Medusa, and the giant Titan turned to stone. His beard and hair became forests, and his body became the Atlas Mountains of North Africa.
Atlas was also linked with astronomy and navigation, and some said he first taught people to study the stars. In the sixteenth century, the mapmaker Gerardus Mercator named his collection of maps an atlas, and the name stuck. The Atlantic Ocean also takes its name from him, a lasting reminder of the Titan who carries the sky.
Famous Myths About Atlas
Condemned to Hold the Sky
Atlas fought on the side of the Titans in their war against Zeus and the Olympians. After their defeat, Zeus punished him by making him hold up the sky on his shoulders at the western edge of the world.
Tricked by Heracles
Heracles needed the golden apples of the Hesperides and offered to hold the sky while Atlas fetched them. Atlas returned planning to leave the burden with Heracles, but the hero asked him to take it back briefly so he could pad his shoulders, then left with the apples.
Turned to Stone
In Ovid's telling, Atlas refused hospitality to Perseus, fearing a son of Zeus would steal his golden apples. Perseus showed him Medusa's head, and the giant Titan was turned into the Atlas Mountains.
Atlas's Family Tree
Parents of Atlas
Partners of Atlas
Children of Atlas
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlas
Who is Atlas in Greek mythology?
Atlas is the Titan of endurance, astronomy and navigation, famous for holding up the sky on his shoulders.
Why does Atlas hold up the sky?
Atlas fought on the side of the Titans in their war against the Olympians. After their defeat, Zeus punished him by making him hold up the heavens at the western edge of the world.
Who are Atlas's parents?
Atlas is the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, and the brother of Prometheus and Epimetheus.
How did Heracles trick Atlas?
Heracles held up the sky while Atlas fetched the golden apples of the Hesperides. Atlas wanted to leave Heracles with the burden, but Heracles asked him to take it back for a moment to adjust his cloak and then walked away.
How did Atlas become a mountain?
In Ovid's version, Perseus showed Atlas the head of Medusa and turned him to stone, creating the Atlas Mountains in North Africa.
Explore More Titans of Greek Mythology
