Atlas enjoyed his newfound freedom; he had missed the experience of running and jumping; he felt light and happy and didn’t want to go back to holding
Heracles decided to go to Atlas for help. Atlas agreed to assist him on the condition that Heracles first slayed the dragon. Heracles drew his bow and shot an arrow high over the garden wall. The arrow hit Ladon and killed the dragon. Heracles then took Atlas’s place and held up the Heavens whilst Atlas went to collect the apples.
In association with the Cottonian Collection at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
One day the divine hero Heracles (son of Zeus) was ordered by the king to gather some golden apples. However, a fierce, unsleeping dragon called Ladon guarded the apples and any mortal who picked the apples would immediately drop dead.
There’s a sculpture of Atlas in the gallery, can you find him? Do you recognise him from the story?
Atlas resumed his punishment, doomed to hold up the sky once again.
“You tried to trick me but I’ve outsmarted you! Goodbye.”
“Of course I will,” said Atlas placing the apples on the ground and taking back the universe. Heracles gathered up the apples and started to laugh. He looked Atlas in the eyes and said:
“That’s a great idea,” Heracles pretended, “but before you go, please can you hold the Heavens just for a moment whilst I stretch and find a more comfortable position?”
Heracles was incredibly smart (as well as strong) and he knew that Atlas was trying to trick him.
“I have such long legs, I’ll be able to deliver them much quicker than you.”
When Atlas returned he suggested to Heracles that he could take the apples to the king himself:
up the sky. He planned to trick Heracles into taking his place forever.
Acknowledgments
With thanks to Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery and Plymouth University. Special thanks to Emma Philip, Curator of Fine Art and Sara Norrish, Learning Officer for Young People.
Additional thanks
Kelly Evans and Carina Dewhurst.
The Young Explainers
Natalie Butler Luke Pitcher Katy Neusten Olivia Davies Mollie Millward-Nicholls Xia Yu Victoria Smith Eleanor Barker Kristin Annus Marie Miranda Katie Palmer
A mythological race of giants called the Titans once ruled the Earth. The largest and most powerful of all the Titans was Atlas. He led his people in The War of the Titans, a rebellion against Zeus the King of the Olympian gods, who wanted to control the world. The Olympians won the battle and Zeus punished the Titans by casting them into the depths of the underworld, all except one. Atlas was given the harshest punishment – doomed to hold up the Heavens with his bare hands, bearing the heavy weight of the universe upon his shoulders for eternity.
THE STORY OF ATLAS
Cover Image - Portrait of Catherine Savery (1693–1774) Artist Unknown c. 1700 Oil on canvas
Cottonian Collection © Plymouth City Council (Arts & Heritage)
Can you spot the painting of a little girl in the Cottonian Collection? This is Catherine and she’s probably even younger than you! Instead of being painted whilst playing, like your mum and dad probably take photos of you, she looks really serious. This is so she looks important.
Can you see what she is holding in her hand? It’s a coral teething stick. People in the 1700s believed that teething sticks were magical! They believed they could scare people away and keep their children safe.
Little boys would be painted in dresses too. We can only tell she’s a girl from her very pretty headdress.
WINGS, HOOVES AND PAWS CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY BOOK
Cottonian Challenges Please look with your eyes and not with your hands! 1. Can you find the little bronze statue of the Centaur? The Centaur is a mythical beast. Can you see that he is half man, half horse? Try creating your own mythical animal and draw it in the frame. Will it have the head of a lion? Or maybe even the body of a pig?! Does it have any special powers? 2. Look around our collection. How many paintings of angels can you see? Can you spot them all? 3. Can you find the piece of furniture in the gallery with lion’s paws and a tail? 4. Find the bronze statue of Samson tearing open the jaws of a lion. Circle the words that best describe this scene: Brave Happy Strong Sleepy Fierce Peaceful 5. Flora was the Roman Goddess of flowers. Her husband, the west wind, gave her a garden filled with beautiful flowers. Why not try to create your own beautiful flower garden when at home? Try using paint, crayons or even collage materials you may have. 6. Learn some sign language! Here’s how to say three words…