ATROPOS  , in

Greek mythology, the eldest of the three Fates (see FATE) . Her name, the " Unalterable " (d- privative, and -rpir&v, to turn), indicates her function, that of rendering the decisions of her sisters irreversible or immutable . Atropos is most frequently represented with scales, a sun-dial or a cutting instrument, the " abhorred shears," with which she slits the thin-spun thread of life that has been placed on the spindle by Clotho and drawn off by Lachesis .