ambrosia (am-BROH-zhuh). A delicacy of the gods, said to have been made of honey, water, fruit, cheese, olive oil and barley. Tantalus, a son of Zeus, was given the great honor of dining on Mount Olympus. He proved himself unworthy of the invitation. The exact nature of his transgression is variously reported, but according to one version of the myth, he stole the gods' ambrosia. Tantalus was condemned to an eternity of punishment for this crime.