The son of the Titan Lapetus and the nymph Clymene, Atlas was thought to be king of the legendary Atlantis. His attack on Olympus during a failed attempt by the Titans to overthrow Zeus resulted in being condemned to forever carry the heavens upon his shoulders. He is usually portrayed, however, bearing a globe on his shoulders. He was relieved of his burden temporarily by Heracles during one of that hero’s 12 labors, but Atlas was tricked into taking the heavens back onto his shoulders. According to some he was later released of his burden and made guardian of the Pillars of Hercules, upon which the heavens were set in his stead, and which also were the gateway to the ocean home of Atlantis. His name has come to mean “bearer” or “endurer.”