Why does Atlas hold up the world?

Answer 1

In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who led a rebellion against the gods and was subsequently punished by Zeus to hold up the celestial spheres, not the world. This punishment was a metaphorical representation of the burden of supporting the heavens. The image of Atlas holding up the world likely originated from a misinterpretation or artistic license over time.

Answer 2

Atlas doesn't hold up the world, he holds up the sky, when the Olympians and titans went to war, (titanomachy) Atlas had to choose sides, he chose the titans, the Olympians won and atlas' punishment was to hold up the heavens for all eternity.

Answer 3

Yes. When the titans lost the war between them and the gods he was forced to hold the sky. The myths say that Ouranos (or Uranus however you want to spell it) was trying to reach his wife, Gaia, and someone had to hold up the sky because if the sky got to Gaia it would crush everything on earth. Atlas' daughter Calypso was also punished by being sent to Ogygia by the gods just for something she might have done. Ogygia was her island, frozen in time, she was there alone with rare visits. Atlas tried to trick the hero Heracles into holding the sky for him. But Heracles managed to trick him back. Atlas got the pity of Athena, who turned him to stone with her shield, which has the head of Medusa secured to it.

Answer 4

accordin to greeek mythology, atlas,the titan holds the sky at mount etna which was the throne of the titans

Answer 5

Before Atlas, No one really knows. I mean all I really know is that Atlas in Greek mythology was the first to hold up the sky. Hope this helped!