ATLAS

Atlas (same name in Greek and Roman mythology) was the son of Iapetus. Unlike his brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus, Atlas fought with the other Titans supporting Cronus against Zeus (Jupiter). Due to Cronus's advance age Atlas lead the Titan's in battle. As a result he was singled out by Zeus for a special punishment and made to hold up the weight of the heavens on his back so that the world and heavens would not join and revert to the original state of chaos. Many of the others who fought on the side of the Titans were kept for eternity in Tartarus (The unpleasant part of Hades).

After killing the Medusa, Perseus, carrying with him the head of the Gorgon, flew far and wide, over land and sea. As night came on, he reached the western limit of the earth, where the sun goes down. Here he would gladly have rested till morning. It was the realm of King Atlas, whose bulk surpassed that of all other men. He was rich flocks and herds and had no neighbors or rival to dispute his state.

Atlas's pride and joy was in his gardens whose fruit was of gold, hanging from golden branches, behind golden leaves. Perseus said to him, "I come as a guest. If you honor illustrious descent, I claim Jupiter for my father; if mighty deeds, I plead the conquest of the Gorgon. I seek rest and food."

But Atlas remembered that an ancient prophecy had warned him that a son of Jove (that would be Zeus) should one day rob him of His golden apples. So he answered, "Begone! or neither your false claims of glory nor parentage shall protect you;" and he attempted to thrust him out.

Perseus, finding the giant too strong for him, said, "Since you value my friendship so little, deign to accept a present;" and turning his face away, he held up the Gorgon's head.

Atlas, with all his bulk, was changed into stone. His beard and hair became forests, his arms and shoulders cliffs, his head a summit, and his bones rocks. Each part increased in bulk till be became a mountain, and (such was the pleasure of the gods) heaven with all its stars rests upon his shoulders.