On an early book of Flemish cartographer Gerardous Mercator’s maps, an image of this Titan holding the world was used
The Final Jeopardy clue for February 14, 2025, in the category “Mythology”, was:
“On an early book of Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator’s maps, an image of this Titan holding the world was used.”
Who is Atlas?
In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who played a significant role in the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods, known as the Titanomachy. According to legend, Atlas fought against Zeus and the Olympians in their struggle for control of the cosmos. When the Titans were ultimately defeated, Zeus punished Atlas by condemning him to hold up the sky for eternity.
The common depiction of Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders is a later interpretation, influenced by artistic and literary traditions. The original myth describes him bearing the weight of the celestial sphere rather than the Earth itself. Over time, artists and scholars began portraying him as supporting the globe, reinforcing his association with endurance and immense strength.
Atlas and Early Cartography
The connection between Atlas and geography became especially prominent in the Renaissance era. Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish cartographer known for his advancements in mapmaking, published a collection of maps in 1585 and 1595. On the cover of his early map books, Mercator included an image of Atlas holding the globe, reinforcing the Titan’s link to geography and exploration.
Mercator’s influence helped solidify the use of “Atlas” as a term for a book of maps. This association was further established when his successor, Jodocus Hondius, published a compilation of maps in 1607 under the title Atlas, a name that would become standard for collections of geographic charts.
Atlas in Cultural and Scientific Influence
The myth of Atlas has persisted through various cultural and scientific contexts. His name has been used for a range of disciplines, including astronomy, where the term “Atlases” refers to star maps, and anatomy, where the first cervical vertebra of the human spine is called the “atlas” because it supports the skull, just as the Titan was believed to support the heavens.
Beyond the sciences, Atlas has also appeared in literature, art, and philosophy, often symbolizing strength, endurance, and unending burden. His image remains one of the most recognizable mythological figures, with sculptures, paintings, and corporate logos frequently drawing upon the motif of a figure supporting the world.
The Lasting Legacy of Atlas
Atlas’s connection to geography and knowledge endures today, largely due to the work of Mercator and other Renaissance mapmakers who helped shape modern cartography. The term “atlas” has become universally associated with maps, and his myth continues to influence popular culture, reinforcing the themes of perseverance and responsibility.
From ancient mythology to Renaissance cartography and beyond, Atlas remains a powerful symbol, bridging the worlds of myth and science. His depiction on Mercator’s maps not only reflected historical artistic traditions but also helped define a term that is still used today.