King Tantalus, son of Zeus and earthly woman Pluto, lived in Phrygia at that time. The gods loved Tantalus and gave him everything a man could wish for: strength, wealth and health. The gold-bearing river Pactola flowed through his fertile lands, and Tantalus could draw gold in handfuls when he wanted to. His gardens were full of juicy sweet fruits all year round, and his herds were grazing in green meadows.
But not enough of this, the gods invited him to their house, and he feasted with them at the high Olympus. He ate and drank with them at the same table. This is how Tantalus would have lived in happiness and contentment all his life, if his pride hadn't put on his shoes. He began to brag to people and tell everyone how much the gods loved him. He treated his buddies to divine food - nectar and ragweed, stolen on Olympus, divulged them all the secrets of the gods, which he listened to during the feasts. Zeus knew about it, but kept silent for the time being, all hoping that Tantalus would come to his senses and become more modest.
One day Zeus asked Tantalus when he was visiting the gods again:
- What do you want me to do for you, my son? My love for you is boundless, and I am ready to fulfill any wish you may have. But the proud Tantalus answered arrogantly:
- I don't need your graces, and I am already rich and happy. And the lot that fell on my share is more beautiful than the lot of immortal gods.
The mighty Zeus frowned and did not like his son's answer. But he held back and did not say anything to him. But then there was more. Tantalus completely stopped reckoning with the gods, deceived them and even insulted them. One day, an unpleasant story happened. Zeus had a beloved golden dog, the one who guarded little Zeus and his nurse, the goat Amalfei, on the island of Crete. She lived in Crete and now guarded the Temple of Zeus there.
King Ephesus Pandareus was seduced by the golden dog and took her away from Crete. He thought for a long time where to hide it, and finally decided to bring it to King Sipil. Tantalus took the golden dog and hid it from the gods. Zeus, of course, found out about it and sent to Tantalus a quick-legged Hermes. In the blink of an eye Hermes from high Olympus has left and has appeared before willful Tantalus.
- The great Thunderer is dissatisfied with you," he said to the king, "and demands that you give him the golden dog you hide. Do you think that the gods are blind and do not see what is happening on earth? Be afraid to attract the wrath of an all-powerful thunderer. Give him back his dog.
But Tantalus disobeyed Hermes and answered him arrogantly:
- In vain you threaten me with the wrath of Zeus. I have not seen a golden dog, I do not have it. I swear on my life and the lives of all my loved ones, I am telling the truth.
Zeus was horrified at such blasphemy, but this time he forgave his daring son: he was still hoping that Tantalus would correct himself. But, as it seems, the blind love of his father does not bring to good. One time Tantalus got away with it, the other time... So he decided that he was allowed to do everything. The king wanted to test the gods and see if they all know and see.
And so one day Tantalus invited the immortal gods to his house and arranged a wonderful feast for them. And before that he killed his son Pelops, prepared a treat from his body and served it to his guests on a gold platter. The gods understood what Tantalus was offering them, and none of them even touched this terrible dish. Only Demeter, who was still grieving about her Persephone and did not notice anything around, ate the shoulder of young Pelops.
The gods gathered all the meat and bones of Pelops, put them in a cauldron and put them on a hot fire. God Hephaestus enlivened the young man, and he again became the same as before. Only one shoulder was missing, the one that Demeter ate. Hephaestus made a new ivory shoulder, and since then all the descendants of Pelops have the same mark: they all have a bright white spot on their right shoulder.
No matter how much Zeus loved his son, his last crime overfilled the cup of patience of the great Thunderer. He threw him into the realm of the dead, and there he still carries a terrible punishment for his atrocities. He is always thirsty - he cannot get drunk, he is hungry - and he cannot do that. Tantalus is worth it in clear, cool water. It reaches his chin, but as soon as he leans over, the water immediately disappears. The branches hang over Tantalus, full of fragrant aromatic fruits, but as soon as he stretches out his hand after them, the gust of wind deflects the branches, and he can never get any fruit. Not only hunger and thirst torment the willful Tantalus, but also eternal fear, because where he stands, a huge rock hangs over his head. It seems that it barely holds on and is about to fall. People have learned what torments Tantalus is going through in the kingdom of Hades, but nobody sympathizes with him, only now all proud and willful people are told that if they do not get better, they will also experience "tantalum flour" in the afterlife.