killerplants.com | What's in a Name? | Free Newsletter Signup

Who was Tantalus?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

July 30, 2004

Sponsored By: ShopAETV.com—>Click here.

;AAA Fruit Baskets—>Click here

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century—>Click here.

Gods And Goddesses, The Greek Gods, Ultimate Ancient Civilizations, & more—>Click here.

Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project—>Click here.

Tantalus was a wealthy king. Some legends say he ruled from Mount Sipylus in Lydia, some say he was king of Corinth or maybe Argos. Zeus favored Tantalus and invited him to a feast to share the nectar and ambrosia of the gods. While dining, Zeus spoke of secrets and gave divine counsel to Tantalus. These were things not for other mortal's ears. But Tantalus did not keep these counsels secret.

Another legend says Tantalus stole nectar and ambrosia from Zeus's table and shared these with his friends, mere mortals. A third states it was the theft of a golden dog, guardian of Zeus's temple in Crete. Tantalus hid the dog and denied having it when Hermes came to retrieve the golden guardian. Whatever Tantalus had done, Zeus was furious. He condemned Tantalus to stand in a lake deep within the kingdom of Hades. (Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, William Smith, ed., John Murray, Albemarle St., London, 1902)

Tantalus' Torment, 1731
Bernard Picart
Buy Framed Art Print at AllPosters.com

After the Trojan War, Odysseus and his crew journeyed to many lands before the gods allowed them to return home. One of these sojourns was to the land of the dead. "And I saw Tantalos also, suffering hard pains, standing in lake water that came up to his chin, and thirsty as he was, he tried to drink, but could capture nothing; for every time the old man, trying to drink, stooped over, the water would drain away and disappear, and the black earth showed at his feet, and the divinity dried it away.

"Over his head trees with lofty branches had fruit like a shower descending, pear trees and pomegranate trees and apple trees with fruit shining, and figs that were sweet and olives ripened well, but each time the old man would straighten up and reach with his hands for them, the wind would toss them away toward the clouds overhanging." (The Odyssey of Homer, translated by Richard Lattimore, Harper Perennial Books, 1967)

Tantalus's punishment was a warning not to cross the gods. Although the legend is mostly lost, Tantalus remains in our language. One who is "tantalized" is one who holds out hope or prospects that can never be realized.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Gods And Goddesses DVD

The History Channel®

The Greek pantheon of gods acted like a dysfunctional feuding family. Though all-powerful, the deities displayed near-human frailties, involving themselves in wars and petty jealousies of their mortal subjects. It was a formula for success--for thousands of years, the Olympian gods and their exploits were woven into the fabric of Greek society, and even today, their influence is still felt in the ancient nation.

This feature-length look at the world of Zeus, Athena and Apollo traces the history of classical Greece through the evolution of its deities, and visits archeological sites where new discoveries are being made.

A host of experts, including professors at Princeton, Stanford and USC, discuss the latest theories surrounding the familiar figures of the Olympian pantheon, and His Majesty King Constantine shares his opinions on how and why the ancient tales remain relevant in a world that bears little resemblance to the one from which they sprang. Gods And Goddesses. Click here.

Ancient Mysteries: Mystical Monuments of Ancient Greece

A&E®

The glorious temples of Athens's Acropolis bear silent witness to the high point of Ancient Greece's fabled civilization. Built during the rule of the legendary Pericles the most powerful leader in Athens's history majestic temples like the Parthenon and the Erectheum amaze us to this day. Yet what was the real purpose of these stunning structures at the heart of the finest city in the ancient world? Were they the centerpiece of a truly civilized society and the symbols of a new form of government known as democracy? Or were they the seat of a brutal cult devoted to Athena, goddess of wisdom and war?

Ancient Mysteries delves into the secret history of Greece's golden age. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the famous monuments with the men who are unearthing their mysteries, and trace the extraordinary story of how they were built and used. Ancient Mysteries: Mystical Monuments of Ancient Greece DVD, Click here.

In Search of History: The Greek Gods DVD

The History Channel®

Their exploits were recorded in stories passed down from generation to generation, their images the basis of some of the most beautiful artworks ever created, and their names echo through history to this day.

From their mythical home high atop Mount Olympus, the great Greek gods were an integral part of every aspect of life. Explore the fascinating story of these enduring figures in this comprehensive program. Hear from renowned classicists why the Greeks endowed their deities with such human failings, and explore the significance of the most famous myths.

See the astonishing artworks that have preserved their images for all time, and how these epic figures have been integrated into modern life. And visit the phenomenal temples that were built in their names, and where the most important rituals of Ancient Greece were carried out.

From Aphrodite to Zeus, it's an entertaining and illuminating look at THE GREEK GODS. In Search of History: The Greek Gods DVD, Click here.

Ultimate Ancient Civilizations DVD

The History Channel®

Explore Ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece, the Aztecs and the Incas - all without leaving your home! Filled with the best that history has to offer, this is the ultimate DVD collection for anyone interested in discovering the way that civilization began.

Set contains:

Julius Caesar's Rome DVD set
Rome: Engineering An Empire DVD
Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids DVD set
Aztec Empire DVD
True Story of Alexander the Great DVD
Lost City of the Incas DVD

872+ Minutes Ultimate Ancient Civilizations DVD, Click here.

Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project

National Geographic®

In Deep Ancestry, scientist and explorer Spencer Wells shows how tiny genetic changes add up over time into a fascinating story. Using scores of real-life examples, helpful analogies, and detailed diagrams and illustrations, he translates complicated concepts into accessible language and explains exactly how each and every individual's DNA contributes another piece to the jigsaw puzzle of human history. The book takes readers inside the Genographic Project, the landmark study now assembling the world's largest collection of DNA samples and employing the latest in testing technology and computer analysis to examine hundreds of thousands of genetic profiles from all over the globe.

256 pages with 40 photographs; 5'' x 8''; Hardcover © 2006 Click here for price and to learn more about the Genographic Project.

Join a real-time, landmark research project! Learn something about your deep ancestry while contributing to the overall success of the Project. Genographic Project Public Participation Kit U.S. and Canada Delivery.

Wollemi Pine

National Geographic®

Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.

Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area. Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.

You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening or as a landscape tree in certain areas of the U.S.

Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Comes in a copper-colored container and will be approximately 10''H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research. Click here to get your Wollemi Pine and assist in the conservation effort.

National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic®

You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.

Additional benefits include:

As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
A personalized Membership Certificate
Special discounts on selected products
The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects

Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home! Click here for price and more info...