Atlas is one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology. He is known as the Titan who carries the heavens on his shoulders, an image that has become a worldwide symbol of strength and endurance. But who exactly was Atlas, and why was he given this heavy burden?
1. Atlas was a Titan, not an Olympian god
Atlas belonged to the Titans, the powerful divine beings who ruled the world before the Olympian gods like Zeus and Poseidon. The Titans were the children of Uranus (the sky) and Gaia (the earth).
2. He fought in the Titanomachy against Zeus
Atlas sided with his fellow Titans in the Titanomachy, the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods. This battle lasted ten years and ended with the defeat of the Titans.
3. His punishment was to carry the heavens
After their victory, Zeus punished the Titans. Atlas received the harshest punishment: he had to carry the heavens on his shoulders, as a symbol of the separation between heaven and earth. Originally, this was interpreted as carrying the sky dome, not the Earth itself.
4. The myth later led to the idea that Atlas carries the world
In later versions of the myth, Atlas was often depicted with a globe on his back, as if he were carrying the Earth. This is a misconception that became especially popular during the Renaissance and is still used in modern art.
5. Atlas was tricked by Heracles
Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) had to retrieve the golden apples of the Hesperides in his twelve labors, which were guarded in the garden of Atlas’s daughters. Atlas offered to fetch the apples if Heracles would temporarily carry the heavens.
When Atlas returned, he didn’t want to take the burden back, but Heracles tricked him by asking Atlas to hold the burden again so he could adjust his shoulders. Heracles then grabbed the apples and left Atlas behind with his eternal punishment.
6. He is the father of the Hesperides
Atlas was the father of the Hesperides, the nymphs who guarded the golden apples of Hera in a mythical garden. These apples granted eternal youth and played a major role in the myths of Heracles and Perseus.
7. Atlas was connected to astronomy
In some stories, Atlas is considered the first astronomer. He is said to have studied the sky and created the first maps of the stars, which may explain why he was made to carry the heavens.
8. The Atlantic Ocean is named after him
The name Atlantic Ocean comes from Atlas. The ancient Greeks believed that Atlas lived at the edge of the known world and that he was associated with the vast seas to the west of Greece.
9. The Atlas Mountains are named after him
According to mythology, Atlas was transformed after his death into a great mountain range in North Africa: the Atlas Mountains, which stretch across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
10. Atlas appears in the myth of Perseus and Medusa
Perseus, the hero who defeated Medusa, is said to have turned Atlas into stone by showing him Medusa’s severed head. This is another explanation for why Atlas was associated with mountains.
11. He is a symbol of endurance and strength
The image of Atlas carrying the heavens is often used as a symbol of perseverance and strength. This can be seen in modern literature, philosophy, and art.
12. Atlas was often depicted in antiquity
In Greek and Roman art, Atlas was frequently depicted as a powerful man carrying the heavens or a globe on his shoulders. These images can be found on mosaics, temples, and statues.
13. The first world atlas was named after him
The cartographer Gerardus Mercator named his collection of maps “Atlas” in 1595, as a tribute to the mythical figure. Since then, a collection of maps has been called an atlas.
14. Atlas also appears in modern pop culture
The figure of Atlas remains popular in books, films, and games. Think of the book “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, the character Atlas in the Bioshock games, and countless references in movies and TV shows where someone literally or metaphorically bears the weight of the world.
15. He is one of the most influential Titans in mythology
While many Titans faded into obscurity after the Titanomachy, Atlas remained an important figure in Greek and Roman mythology. His role as bearer of the heavens and his connection to astronomy, geography, and symbolism make him one of the most well-known and enduring mythological characters.
