![\"Atlas-Titan-God\"](\"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Atlas-1024x585.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAtlas – Family and Relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Atlas was the son of the Titans Iapetus<\/a> and Clymene, and his siblings were Epimetheus<\/a>, Menoetius<\/a> and Prometheus. Amongst his children were the nymph Calypso<\/a> and Maia who was one of the Pleiades and mother of the messenger God Hermes<\/a>.<\/span> Here’s a bit more about each of his offspring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hyas was a hunter who’s legend ends with him killed by a wild animal. His death caused immense grief to his sisters, the Hyades and Pleiades, leading to their transformation into star clusters. Hyas’ story is a tale of tragedy and loss, as well as the close bonds within his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calypso is a nymph who lived on the island of Ogygia, where she detained the hero Odysseus<\/a> for several years. She is often portrayed as a figure of immense beauty and loneliness, symbolizing unrequited love and the pain of isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dione is a prophetic goddess associated with the oracle of Dodona. While her role in mythology is less clear, she is often considered a water deity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maera is less prominent in myths but is sometimes associated with the dog star, Sirius. Her transformation into a celestial body represents loyalty and perseverance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hesperides are nymphs known for their beautiful garden at the western edge of the world, where they tended a tree bearing golden apples. Their role in the garden symbolizes guardianship and the allure of forbidden knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hyades are a cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, represented in Greek mythology as a sisterhood of nymphs, who wept for their brother, Hyas, after his death. Their tears are said to bring rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pleiades are seven sisters who were transformed into a star cluster, which bears their name, to escape the pursuit of Orion. They are associated with various myths and are often seen as a symbol of unity and sisterhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Atlas and his brother Menoetius sided with the Titans against the Olympians<\/a>. When the Titans were eventually defeated, many of them were confined to Tartarus<\/a> ( a deep abyss used as a dungeon) including Atlas\u2019 brother. However, Atlas had a different fate. Zeus condemned him to stand at the Western edge of Gaia (the Earth) and hold the heavens on his shoulders to prevent the two from resuming their primordial embrace. He was Atlas Telamon, or \u2018enduring Atlas,\u2019 a name embodying his daily struggle and punishment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Homer\u2019s Odyssey Atlas is described as \u2018deadly-minded\u2019 and is responsible for holding the pillars which hold the heavens and earth apart. In Hesiod\u2019s Theogony<\/a> Atlas holds the heavens in the far west, edge of the world land of the Hesperides, female deities known for the beautiful singing. Then in later years, Atlas is associated with the mountains in, Northwest Africa or modern day Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. This is where legends say the Titan was transformed from a shepherd into a huge rock mountain by Perseus<\/a>, using the head of Medusa<\/a> and her deadly stare.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this story, Atlas was the father of the Hesperides, nymphs and guardians of the tree of golden apples. The earth goddess Gaea<\/a> gave the tree of golden apples to Hera<\/a> as a wedding present and placed it in a secret location; nevertheless, an oracle told Atlas that a son of Zeus would one day steal the golden apples guarded by his daughters. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To prevent this Atlas refused to let anyone visit his home and when Perseus asked for hospitality in his land, he was denied. Perseus used the head of the Gorgon<\/a> Medusa and immediately transformed Atlas into the mountain range in North West Africa, the Atlas Mountains.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This story symbolizes the transformation of the Titan into a permanent fixture of the natural world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most famous myth involving Atlas is his role in the Twelve Labours of Hercules<\/a>. Hercules was commanded by King Eurystheus to steal the golden apples from the fabled gardens of the Hesperides. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n These gardens were sacred to Hera and guarded by the deadly hundred-headed dragon Ladon. On the advice of Prometheus<\/a> Hercules asked Atlas to retrieve the apples for him, while Hercules, aided by Athena<\/a> would take the burden of the heavens on his shoulders giving Atlas a respite from his duty and also the freedom to steal the apples. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nHyas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Calypso<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Dione<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Maera<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Hesperides<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Hyades<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Brothers In Arms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Various Myths Of Atlas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Encounter with Perseus<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The 12 Labour of Hercules<\/h4>\n\n\n\n