Tantalus, the ruler of Phrygia, was the son of Zeus and Pluto, a mortal woman. He was the father of Pelops, Niobe, and Broteas. The Greeks had a proverb called “Tantalean punishment” for those who had good fortune but were unable to enjoy the things they had. Furthermore, it was from him that the phrase “tantalize” originated, meaning to have high expectations for something that is not obtainable.

Tantalus was welcomed to Zeus’ table in Olympus, unlike many half-mortals. Tantalus was taking advantage of Zeus’ hospitality. He would share the gods’ plans and secrets with his people. To give his elect immortality, he stole ambrosia and nectar from the god’s table. According to a few narratives, Tantalus decides to throw a banquet at his kingdom after the gods get furious about that.

To test the gods’ ability, Tantalus orders his son Pelops to cut up, boil, and serve as a sacrifice during a banquet, wondering if the gods could tell what it was. The Olympians sensed something strange about the meal, except Demeter, the goddess of harvest and agriculture, who was still upset that she had not found her daughter Persephone. Demeter ate a chunk of Pelops’ shoulder, so after the gods resuscitated him, they gave him a prosthetic shoulder made of ivory. Afterward, Poseidon brought him to Olympus, where he took over as an apprentice and trained in charioteering. When Poseidon learned of other acts Tantalus had done, he later banished and kicked him out of Olympus.

As for what punishment Zeus inflicted on Tantalus, it is described by Odysseus, who saw him while wandering in Hades, as follows:

“I also saw the awful agonies that Tantalus has to bear. The old man was standing in a pool of water that nearly reached his chin, and his thirst drove him to unceasing efforts, but he could never reach the water to drink it. For whenever he stooped in his eagerness to drink, it disappeared. The pool was swallowed up, and all there was at his feet was the dark earth, which some mysterious power had drained dry. Trees spread their foliage high over the pool and dangled fruits above his head: pear trees and pomegranates, apple trees with their glossy burden, sweet figs, and luxuriant olives. But the wind would toss them up towards the shadowy clouds whenever the old man made to grasp them in his hands.” (Odyssey, 11: 582-593)

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Written by Begüm Edited by Yağmur