In classical mythology, Atlas was a leader of the Titans in their war against Zeus and after their defeat, he was condemned to carry the heavens upon his shoulders. According to others he was instead (or later) appointed guardian of the pillars which held the earth and sky asunder.

In attempting to evoke the endurance of Atlas, I used in this piece, the distinctively intense-sounding and masculine-sounding ancient Greek Dorian Mode. Indeed, according to Plato, in "The Republic", this was the ‘manliest’ of all the musical modes the only musical mode of true moral worth, which Plato even considered that it inspired bravery in battle!