ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Atlas and his brother Menoetius sided with the Titans in their war against the Olympians, the Titanomachy. When the Titans were defeated, many of them (including Menoetius) were confined to Tartarus, but Zeus condemned Atlas to stand at the western edge of the earth and hold up the sky on his shoulders.

Detailed explanation-2: -Unlike his fellow Titans, Atlas had a different punishment. Instead of being banished to Tartarus, Zeus enslaved Atlas to holding up the earth on his shoulders for all eternity. This was because Zeus wanted Atlas to keep Gaia from forming the primordial bond with Tartarus.

Detailed explanation-3: -Atlas was given the task of holding up the heavens as punishment from Zeus for leading the Titans in their battle with the Olympian Gods for control of the heavens.

Detailed explanation-4: -In Homer’s Odyssey, Book I, Atlas seems to have been a marine creature who supported the pillars that held heaven and earth apart. These were thought to rest in the sea immediately beyond the most western horizon, but later the name of Atlas was transferred to a range of mountains in northwestern Africa.

Detailed explanation-5: -He personified the quality of endurance (atlaô). Atlas was a leader of the Titanes (Titans) in their war against Zeus and after their defeat he was condemned to carry the heavens upon his shoulders.