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[[File: Sisyphus One.jpg |200px|thumb|left|Sysphus pushing a rock on a Greek vase]]__NOTOC__
The Greek myths have so many remarkable and memorable characters, such as Hercules and Perseus. One of the most interesting of all is Sisyphus. He was a king, who was the embodiment of craftiness and guile. Sisyphus even attempted to outfox the Gods and even death.
However, the king of Ephyra was able to assuage Zeus, who spared his life. The king was so crafty that he could even get his way with the King of the Gods. Sisyphus began to covet the throne of his brother Salmoneus, who was king of Eilis. He even consulted the Oracle at Delphi on the best way to take his brother's crown. Sisyphus came up with a terrible plan. He first seduced Salmoneus' daughter Tyro (his niece) and had children with her. Then he encouraged her to join with him in deposing her father.
Tyro was so enraged that she killed all her children. Sisyphus witnessed Zeus carry off the daughter of Aulous, a river god. He told the god what had happened on condition that because he provided an eternal spring of water on Corinth's acropolis. Aeolus agreed, and the city ruled by Sisyphus had a perennial supply of water.
Then Zeus found out, and he was so enraged that he ordered the God of Death, Thanatos, to take Sisyphus down to Tartarus, the eternal abyss, a kind of Greek Hell. When Sisyphus saw Death approaching, he immediately developed a plan. Once he realized the chains meant to bind him, he pretended to be interested in them. He then grabbed the chains and suddenly bound Death.
====Conclusion====
The myth of Sisyphus is little known, although many have heard of his punishment and are familiar with the image of him pushing a huge rock. This fable is important because it allows us to understand something of the Greek mindset. In the The cunning king's figure, they saw many qualities that they admired, such as resourcefulness and bravery.
However, they also knew that his story was a lesson on how humans need to respect their gods and accept their fate. This story demonstrates how myths can help us to understand the human condition. It illustrates how futile and absurd all human endeavors can be. This is why the figure pushing a massive stone up a cliff for all eternity has continued to fascinate many. Sisyphus's legend is still relevant to the Late Modern World, even though it originated in Greece over 2,500 years ago.
