Which Corinthian king was punished eternally

A.� This question comes from lizzie and the answer came from Sir Rooke. It's Sisyphus.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� The chap after whom the expression Sisyphean task is named

A.� The very same.

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Q.� And what was his punishment

A.� The Gods condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain. By the time he got to the top, the stone would fall over the other side, and he would have to start again. The Gods reasoned that there was no more dreadful punishment than futile labour.

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Q.� And with good reason. What was his crime

A.� According to Homer, Sisyphus was a wise and� prudent mortal. He’s also portrayed as a cunning man who almost succeeded in cheating death; and as one who betrayed a secret of Zeus. According to another tradition he was a thief. Although why a king of Corinth — a city-state in Southern Greece, should resort to theft is not explained.

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Q.� Come on. There must have been something else that made the Gods so angry.

A.� Well, yes. He conned 'em. Homer says Sisyphus captured Death and stopped her nasty work. Pluto, the God of Hades, the Underworld, could not endure the sight of his empire deserted now that Death was prevented from gainful employment.

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Q.� Annoying the God of the Underworld. Not the wisest course of action

A.� Got it in one. Death had gone to claim Sisyphus, but he grabbed her and chained her up. Pluto sent Ares, the God of War, who liberated Death from the hands of her conqueror. Sisyphus had to submit.

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Q.� And that was that

A.� Oh no. Sisyphus had a cunning plan. He told his wife, Merope, not to perform the usual sacrifices and to leave his body unburied.

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Q.� What's so cunning about that

A.� When he reached the underworld he was permitted by Pluto to return to punish Merope for the omission. Once back at home, he continued to live to a ripe old age.

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Q.� And what did the Gods think about that

A.� The Gods tried to recall him and sent warnings and signs of anger, but to no avail. The Gods made a decree. Mercury seized Sisyphus and dragged him back to Hades, where his rock was awaiting.

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Q.� Did you ever complete his labours

A.� No. I expect he's still going. The tale was a warning: Don't admire conmen. Autolycus and Prometheus both became folk heroes for as the trickster and master thief. Sisyphus tried cheating Death and got the most awful punishment.

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By Steve Cunningham