Atlas.
The weight of heaven
Atlas in Greek Mythology: the Titan Holding the Skyis the condemned to support the heavens at the edge of the world. His burden is the sky, not the Earth, and his encounter with briefly offers the possibility of release.
More than a myth.
Why does Atlas hold up the sky?
places among the sons of and , alongside , , and Menoetius. assigns him the labor of holding the broad heavens with his head and hands near the Hesperides. Later mythography connects the punishment with the defeated . The image gives the separation between earth and sky a living, suffering support.
Atlas and Heracles
In one account of the labor of the Hesperides, needs golden apples guarded far to the west. Following ’s advice, he temporarily takes ’s burden while Atlas retrieves them. Atlas then proposes delivering the apples himself. Heracles agrees, but asks him to hold the sky for a moment while he adjusts a cushion for his shoulders. Once Atlas takes the weight, Heracles leaves with the fruit.
The sky, a mountain, and a family
is also the father of the Pleiades, including , the mother of . describes him as knowing the depths of the sea and keeping the pillars that separate earth and heaven. A different episode in makes turn Atlas into a mountain with ’s head. These traditions should be read separately rather than forced into one consistent sequence of events.
Questions about Atlas
Does Atlas hold the Earth or the sky?
In the ancient accounts cited here, supports the heavens. A globe in an artwork may represent the celestial sphere. The familiar claim that he carries the planet Earth changes the nature of his burden.
Is Atlas the father of Prometheus?
No. In , and are brothers, sons of and . Atlas is an ancestor of through his daughter .
It’s a family affair.
The stories of Atlas.
Continue with the ancient accounts.
This story collection does not yet include a full retelling centered on Atlas. Explore the cited sources below and the connected profiles for more of the surviving accounts.
Ancient voices.
Enduring stories.
Myths have many tellings. These are the ancient works behind this profile, linked to freely available English translations.
Theogony
Lines 507–520, 746–748
Library
Book 2.5.11 · apples of the Hesperides
Metamorphoses
Book 4.627–662 · Atlas becomes a mountain