Jealous of Zeus’s attention to Hercules his wife, Hera, send Hercules away. Through a series of adventures he encounters Atlas who is holding the world on his back. Hercules asks Atlas to pick some apples for him because Hercules is a mere mortal and not allowed to pick the apples. Atlas agrees if Hercules will hold the world for him. Having held the world on his back since the beginning of time Atlas is delighted to be rid of it and does not intend to take it back. Hercules tricks Atlas into holding the world again and returns to marry the Princess of Thebes.