Friday Factoid: What Was Atlas Carrying?
Welcome to another weird and wacky Friday Factoid!
Today, I'm asking...
"What did Atlas carry on his shoulders?"
And by Atlas, of course, I'm referring to the Titan of Greek mythology. You've seen his statue, no doubt.
Most people would answer the question simply. He's holding the earth, fool!
But he's not.
That famed image of Atlas actually depicts him holding not the earth... But the heavens.
In mythology, Atlas sided with the Titans in their war against the Olympians. When the Titans were eventually defeated, Zeus condemned Atlas to stand at the western edge of the earth and hold the heavens on his shoulders -- to keep heaven and earth separated for all eternity.
So Atlas is holding the heavens -- and NOT the earth.
But it gets even more intriguing.
That image of Atlas holding the EARTH was popularized by Flemish cartographer (map person), Gerardus Mercator, born way back in the 1500's.
You may remember seeing the image on a whole bundle of old-looking maps.
Well, that's where the word "atlas" originates.
However Mercator's image didn't actually refer to the Titan, Atlas. Rather, his Atlas was the mythological "King Atlas of Mauretania" (after whom mountains are named). The mythical king is supposed to have produced the first real-world globe.
But that's enough miscellany.
Just remember the important bit. Atlas, the Titan, carried the heavens on his back. Not the earth.
Happy Friday! :)
Labels: factoids
by Karl
2:41 AM
1 Comments:
Wow Karl, You have done your mythology homework, I didn't know that...But hey, it wouldn't be me if I didn't sent you some smart ass answer, right?.. Lol.. I think it's very interesting he's holding the heavens to keep heaven & earth separated from eachother for everlasting eternity.... So, in reality this would mean that heaven and earth are connected to eachother as long as we don't fall for the illusion Atlas is carrying the heavens... see what I mean?
Anyway, I carried for 9 month heaven and earth and that resulted in our newborn son, Thygo Rutger, who stepped into this world on monday April the 23td at 17.40 hrs...
Check out his online foto album here , Im sure you'll love him, he is so cute and lovely..
Namasté & have a great Heavenly Day!~ ;-)
Hilde
MissMacLifeStylezz BV
By
MissM, at
8:58 PM
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