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Favored by the gods, Tantalus was allowed to dine with them. Taking advantage of this postition, he either made a meal for the gods of his son Pelops or he told other mortals the secrets of the gods which he had learned at their table. When Tantalus served Pelops to the gods, all except Demeter recognized the food for what it was and refused to eat, but Demeter, grieving for her lost daughter, was distracted and ate the shoulder.

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Q: Why was Tantalus punished?
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Why was Tantalus punished in Greek mythology?

Tantalus was punished in Greek mythology for his crimes against the gods, including serving his own son to them as a meal. As punishment, he was condemned to eternal torment in the underworld, where he was surrounded by food and water that he could never reach.


What does Tantalize have to do with mythology?

Tantalize comes from Tantalus who was a king that was loved by the gods and invited to parties with them, but then he offended them because he feed his own son to the gods as dinner for a party. When Zeus found out about this he punished him by sending Tantalus to the underworld were he always will have food just out of his reach and drink that moves away when he tries to drink. Others say that Tantalus was telling secrets about the gods to mortals instead of feeding the gods his own son.


Who are Tantalus and Sisyphus?

Tantalus and Sisyphus are two characters from Greek mythology who were punished in the Underworld eternally. Tantalus was made to stand under a fruit tree and in a puddle of water, but could not eat or drink- the fruit avoided him, and the water receded. He had killed his son and tried to make the gods eat him. Sisyphus was punished by having to attempt to roll a rock uphill forever. He had betrayed Zeus to a river-god, as Zeus had kidnapped the river-god's daughter in the form of an eagle. Seeing this, Sisyphus told the river-god, incurring the wrath of Zeus upon him.


What is Tantalus the God of?

Tantalus was not a god. He was a mortal king. The Gods liked him so they invited him to Olympus. He tried to take Nectar and Ambrosia (God Food) from the Gods and they banished him. Everyone made fun of him, even his own children. He killed his kids and put them in the foods. Tantalus invited the Gods to his palace and have dinner with him. When the Gods realized the kids were in the food, they punished him in the Underworld by making him stand in a river but could never drink and a fruit tree above him but could never eat.


How is the word tantalize related to tantalus?

Tantalus was always tortured by food and water that was close to him but out of his grasp. Tantalize means to do what Tantalus had to suffer from.