Atlantĭdes

, a people of Africa near mount Atlas. They boasted of being in po e ion of the country in which all the gods of antiquity received their birth. Uranus was their first king, whom, on account of his knowledge in astronomy, they enrolled in the number of their gods. Diodorus , bk. 3 .――The daughters of Atlas, were seven in number, Maia, Electra, Taygeta, Asterope, Merope, Alcyone, and Celæno. They married some of the gods, and most illustrious heroes, and their children were founders of many nations and cities. The At lan tides were called nymphs, and even godde es, on account of their great intelligence and knowledge. The name of Hesperides was also given them, on account of their mother Hesperis. They were made constellations after death. See: Pleiades .