Where Does The Word Atlas Originate From?

The etymology of the word 'atlas' is the subject or many misconceptions, may be because of the fact that two distinct mythical entities called 'Atlas' are connected to the process of map making.

King Atlas is the name of a mythical King of Mauretania in Libya who, as per legend, was an astronomer, among other things, and who created the very first celestial globe.

Nonetheless, the more popular Atlas is actually a mythical character in Greek Mythology. He was the offspring of the Titan Iapetus and Asia, the brother of Prometheus. According to mythological legend, he was penalized by Zeus and forced to carry the weight of the heavens and the earth on his back. This image of Atlas carrying the world on his back is depicted in numerous works of art such as the Farnese Atlas.