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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Mythology

Sisyphus

Sisyphus is a figure in Greek mythology, best known as the king of Ephyra, later Corinth, and as a trickster who was condemned to eternal labour in the underworld.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Sisyphus is a figure from Greek mythology, the king of Ephyra (later Corinth), condemned to roll a boulder uphill forever. His story is the source of the term 'Sisyphean,' meaning futile or repetitive effort.

What it is

Sisyphus was a mythological king known for his cleverness and deception. He angered the gods, particularly Zeus, by revealing secrets and cheating death. His punishment in the underworld was to push a massive boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time, repeating endlessly.

Why it matters

The myth of Sisyphus has become a lasting symbol of futile, repetitive labour. In Canadian English, the adjective 'Sisyphean' is used to describe tasks that seem endless or pointless, appearing in literature, philosophy, and everyday speech.

Key details

Sisyphus was the son of Aeolus and Enarete, and grandfather of Bellerophon. His punishment is often linked to Tartarus in the underworld. The myth was famously explored by Albert Camus in his 1942 essay *The Myth of Sisyphus*, which uses the story to discuss absurdity and perseverance.

In short

  • Sisyphus was a Greek king punished to roll a boulder uphill forever.
  • The term 'Sisyphean' describes endlessly difficult or futile work.
  • Albert Camus used the myth to explore human struggle and absurdity.
Canadian angle

The myth is widely taught and referenced in Canadian English as the source of the adjective 'Sisyphean,' used to describe endless or futile tasks in literature, philosophy, and everyday speech.

Quick questions

Who was Sisyphus in Greek mythology?
Sisyphus was a mythological king of Ephyra, later Corinth, known for his cleverness and deception. He is best remembered for being punished in the underworld for his actions.
What is the myth of Sisyphus?
The myth says Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill forever, but each time it neared the top, it rolled back down. The cycle repeats endlessly.
What does the myth of Sisyphus mean?
It commonly represents futile, repetitive, or seemingly endless effort. In philosophy and literature, it is also used to explore human struggle, absurdity, and perseverance.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus
    Supports: Identifies Sisyphus as king of Ephyra/Corinth, explains the boulder punishment, and describes his deception of Zeus.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sisyphus
    Supports: Confirms Sisyphus as a Greek mythological figure, a trickster, and the source of the eternal boulder punishment.
  3. World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/sisyphus/
    Supports: States that Sisyphus was king of Corinth, cheated death, and became the symbol of futile labour.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/sisyphus/section11/
    Supports: Summarizes the myth as endless boulder-rolling and provides the philosophical framing used in later interpretation.