Atlantes (sorcerer)

For other uses, see Atlantes (disambiguation).
Enchanted knights see the illusions of their loves in Atlantes's castle; an illustration by Gustave Doré to Orlando Furioso

Atlantes was a powerful sorcerer featured in chansons de geste. The sorcerer built a castle of iron in the Pyrenees to keep knights and ladies he had captured as a diversion for Ruggiero, a Saracen knight. Atlantes feared that Ruggiero would convert to Christianity and aid Charlemagne against the Saracens as he had foreseen through the use of the Book of Fates. In Orlando Furioso, Atlantes constructs a magical castle filled with illusions, in order to divert Ruggiero from what he has foretold as certain doom. Ruggiero is later set free by Bradamante and after numerous trials and quests sires a great line of heroes. He later dies betrayed fulfilling the destiny foretold by Atlantes.

See also

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