Atlas was the son of Lapetus and Clymene. Unlike his brother Prometheus, Atlas fought for Cronus in the battle against Zeus. When Cronus was defeated, Atlas' punishment was to hold the world on his shoulders.

Once Hercules asked Atlas for help in taking the apples of Hesperides. Atlas went to get the apples, leaving Hercules to hold up the sky. When he returned , he refused to take back the world, but Hercules deceived Atlas and made him take back the word.

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