Tantalus

Tantalus (Ancient Greek: Τάνταλος Tántalos), also known as Atys, was a figure from Greek mythology primarily remembered for his eternal punishment in Tartarus. His torment consisted of standing in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches, where the fruit remained forever beyond his reach and the water receded whenever he attempted to drink. Although this is the most familiar version of his punishment today, early Greek sources more commonly described other variants, including one where a stone dangled precariously above his head.

Ancient Greeks coined the expression "Tantalean punishment" (Ancient Greek: Ταντάλειοι τιμωρίαι: Tantáleioi timōríai) to describe those who possess desirable things but cannot enjoy them. His name and story gave rise to the English word tantalize, meaning to torment someone by showing something desirable but keeping it out of reach, or to tease by repeatedly raising and disappointing expectations. Similarly, "the rock of Tantalus" served as a proverbial expression used by Pindar and Archilochus, functioning much like the later "Sword of Damocles" - representing the inability to enjoy something because doing so places one in a position of constant imminent danger.