Tantalus

In Greek mythology, Tantalus, king of Lydia, was the son of Zeus*. A favorite of the gods, he was often invited to dine at their feasts. But Tantalus angered the gods. Some stories say that he betrayed their secrets to mortals, while others claim that he stole the food of the gods. Another myth gives a more gruesome explanation, saying that Tantalus killed his son Pelops and served the flesh to the gods to prove they could not tell the difference between human and animal meat.

underworld land of the dead

To punish Tantalus, the gods placed him in a pool of water in the underworld that was surrounded by fruit trees. When he went to drink, the water would recede. When he tried to eat the fruit, it moved out of reach. Tantalus's punishment gave rise to the word tantalizing, meaning something that is tempting but just out of reach.

Tan·ta·lus / ˈtantl-əs/ Greek Mythol. a Lydian king, son of Zeus and father of Pelops. As punishment for his crimes (which included killing Pelops), he was forced to remain in chin-deep water with fruit-laden branches over his head, both of which receded when he reached for them. His name is the origin of the word tantalize.

Tantalus in Greek mythology, a Lydian king, son of Zeus and father of Pelops. For his crimes (which included killing Pelops) he was punished by being provided with fruit and water which receded when he reached for them. His name is the origin of the word tantalize.

tan·ta·lus / ˈtantl-əs/ • n. chiefly Brit. a stand in which decanters of liquor can be locked up though still visible.

tantalus genus of storks; spirit stand containing decanters locked up but visible. XIX. — L. Tantalus (see TANTALIZE).