|
|
|
|
|
Portable Apps
Tantalus
Tantalus, the mortal son of Zeus, was well loved by the gods. He was so well loved, that they invited him to dine with him in the halls of Olympus. There he feasted on ambrosia and nectar, the food and drink of the gods.
Tantalus decided to return the favor by inviting the gods to his kingdom in Asia Minor for a feast in their honor. But what could he serve them that could compare with ambrosia and nectar? He decided to serve them his most prized possesion, his son Pelops.
When the Gods came to his palace, they were very pleased with Tantalus. That is until the main course was served, and they recognized it for what it was. All, that is, except Demeter, who was so distracted by the loss of her daughter, the Goddess Persephone, that she absent mindedly ate part of Pelops' tasty shoulder.
The Greek gods were whole-heartedly for animal sacrifice, but abhorred human sacrifice. They were disgusted with Tantalus, and swiftly threw him into the underworld for some slow punishment. Tantalus was placed in a special room where fruit vines were abundant, and water was plentiful. But every time Tantalus would reach for the fruit on the vines, they would recede beyond his reach. And though he stood in water up to his neck, the water would recede beyond his reach whenever he tried to drink it.
Find out what happened to Tantalus' son Pelops!
