Final answer:
In Greek mythology, Atlas was the Titan condemned to hold the heavens on his shoulders, representing power and authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strong giant who carried the heavens on his shoulders was known as Atlas. Atlas was one of the twelve Titans, children of Gaia (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky). In Greek mythology, following the Titans' defeat by the Olympian gods in the Gigantomachy, Atlas was condemned to hold up the sky for eternity. This task is often artistically represented by him carrying an orb or the celestial spheres and sometimes wielding a scepter, symbolizing his burden and the astronomical knowledge attributed to him. In artistic depictions, Atlas' immense strength and his stoic acceptance of his eternal duty inspire awe and serve as a symbol of power and authority.