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Tantalos (Latinized to Tantalus), was an ancient mythic king. He was a truly wicked man and offered his own son, Pelops, as sacrifice to the gods. Since he was a mythic king, the story relates that the offering was made at a banquet, and all of the gods, being aware of the heinous act, refused to accept; all but Demeter, who still grieving over the loss of her daughter, absently devoured Pelop's shoulder. In a rare display, Zeus ordered the Fates to restore life to the young prince while a new shoulder was made for him by Hephaestos.

After his death, Tantalos was condemned to stand in a pool of water up to his knees under a low hanging branch of fruit. Ever hungering and thirsty, each time he attempted to sate either desire, the objects moved out of his reach. Hence the definition of "Tantalize" which is "temptation without satisfaction".

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13y ago

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