The Myth of Sisyphus and His Tormenting Eternal Punishment

Once upon a time, Corinth was a powerful Greek city-state, with its ruins still visible today. Some sources claim that the great city of Efyra, later known as Corinth, was founded by Sisyphus. Others suggest that the witch Medea gifted Corinth to Sisyphus, making him its king. One day, Zeus abducted Asopos’ daughter, Aegina. When Asopos inquired if Sisyphus had witnessed anything, Sisyphus revealed that he had seen Zeus fly away with Aegina. Enraged by this betrayal, Zeus sent Death to take Sisyphus’ life. However, Sisyphus tricked Death into demonstrating how the chains worked, and then he chained Death instead.

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With Death imprisoned, no one could die. In response, the gods sent Ares, the god of war, to free Death. This time, Death successfully captured Sisyphus and led him to the Underworld, the realm of Hades. Before his death, Sisyphus instructed his wife, Merope, not to give him a proper burial by omitting the coin needed to pay Charon, the ferryman of the river Styx. This improper burial disturbed Hades so much that he sent Sisyphus back to the living world. Sisyphus had escaped Death once more. When the gods finally recaptured Sisyphus, they decided on an eternal punishment: he was condemned to push a boulder up a mountain. Each time it reached the top, it would roll back down, forcing Sisyphus to start again.