Story Summary
Discover the Greek myth of Atlas and Perseus. After being denied hospitality, Perseus uses Medusa’s head to transform the weary Titan into a mountain range.
After the hero Perseus had successfully beheaded the Gorgon Medusa, he flew across the world on his winged sandals. Exhausted, he arrived at the kingdom of the Titan Atlas, who guarded the Garden of the Hesperides and held the heavens upon his massive shoulders. Seeking rest, Perseus asked for hospitality, but Atlas was wary. An ancient prophecy had warned the Titan that a son of Zeus would one day come to steal his precious golden apples. Believing Perseus to be that thief, Atlas rudely rebuffed him, threatening the hero and ordering him to leave. Insulted and unable to match the Titan's physical strength, Perseus reached into his pouch. 'Since you value your hospitality so little,' Perseus cried, 'take this gift from me!' He unveiled the petrifying gaze of Medusa. Atlas, unable to look away, was instantly transformed into cold, hard stone. His hair and beard became forests, his shoulders became cliffs, and his head reached into the clouds, forming the massive Atlas Mountains that support the sky to this day.
The Moral
Rudeness and a lack of hospitality can lead to one's own downfall, and fear of a prophecy often ensures its fulfillment.
“He who holds the world upon his back found his final rest in the cold embrace of stone.”
Fun Fact
This myth is an 'etiological' story, which means it was created to explain the physical origin of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Atlas and Perseus?
The story emphasizes the importance of hospitality and the danger of paranoia. By refusing to help a stranger due to fear, Atlas inadvertently brought about the very transformation he sought to avoid.
Why did Atlas refuse to help Perseus?
Atlas had been warned by a prophecy that a son of Zeus would steal his golden apples. Because Perseus was a son of Zeus, the Titan viewed him as a threat rather than a weary traveler.
How did Perseus turn Atlas to stone?
Perseus used the severed head of Medusa, which retained its power to turn anyone who looked at it into stone. He held the head up to Atlas when the Titan threatened him.
What mountain range was created in this myth?
The myth explains the origin of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. It suggests that the mountains are actually the petrified remains of the Titan holding up the sky.
What was the prophecy Atlas feared?
The prophecy stated that the Golden Apples of the Hesperides would be plundered by a son of Zeus. Ironically, while he stopped Perseus, the apples were later taken by another son of Zeus, Heracles.
Who were the Hesperides in this story?
The Hesperides were nymphs who guarded the sacred garden of golden apples. In many versions of the myth, they are considered the daughters of Atlas.
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