Atlas: The Strongest Being in Greek Mythology

Atlas is a titan who was doomed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders for all eternity. He was the strongest being in all of Greek mythology, and that’s saying something – these guys had some serious muscle.

According to legend, Atlas was the son of Iapetus and the brother of Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius. He was also the father of the Hesperides, those lovely nymphs who guarded the golden apples in the garden of the gods.

But back to Atlas himself. This guy was a beast. He was said to be so strong that he could hold up the entire sky with ease. And that’s exactly what he was forced to do – as punishment for fighting against the gods in the Titanomachy, Atlas was sentenced to hold up the sky on his shoulders for all eternity.

Now, you might be wondering how exactly Atlas is holding up the sky. I mean, it’s a pretty big job, right? Well, the ancient Greeks believed that the sky was actually a solid dome that rested upon the mountains at the edges of the earth. So, essentially, Atlas was holding up a giant, celestial frisbee.

It’s not entirely clear why the gods thought this was an appropriate punishment for Atlas. I mean, the guy was just fighting for what he believed in. But I guess the gods had to make an example out of him. And let’s be real – it’s pretty funny to imagine a giant, muscular guy struggling under the weight of a massive discus.

Despite his punishment, Atlas remained a powerful figure in Greek mythology. He was often depicted as a wise and powerful character – when he wasn’t complaining about his back hurting, that is. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t complain about that?

In the end, Atlas serves as a reminder of the power and strength of the titans. And also, of the importance of good posture – seriously, bend those knees, Atlas.