PROMETHEUS
Name: Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan known for his
wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to
mortals for their use. His myth has been treated by a number of ancient sources,
in which Prometheus is credited with (or blamed for) playing a pivotal role in
the early history of humankind.
The Prometheus myth first appears in the Greek epic poet Hesiod's (ca. the late
8th - early 7th centuries BC) Theogony. He was a son of the
Titan Iapetus by Themis or Clymene, one of the Oceanids. As a son of Iapetus he
was also a brother of Atlas, Menoetius and Epimetheus. In the Theogony, Hesiod
introduces Prometheus as a lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence.
At a meal marking the "settling of accounts" between mortals and immortals,
Prometheus plays a trick against Zeus (545-557). He places two sacrificial
offerings before the Olympian: a selection of ox meat hidden inside an ox's
stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the ox's bones
wrapped in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing
exterior). Zeus chooses the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices;
henceforth, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped
in fat as an offering to the gods. This angers Zeus, who hides fire from humans
in retribution. Prometheus, however, steals fire from Zeus and gives it back to
humans for their use. This further enrages Zeus, who sends mortal man the first
woman, presumably Pandora (590-93): "From her is the race of women and female
kind: of her is the deadly race and tribe of women who live amongst mortal men
to their great trouble, no helpmeets in hateful poverty, but only in wealth."
Prometheus, meanwhile, is chained to a rock where his regenerating liver is
eaten daily by a vulture. Years later the Greek hero Heracles would shoot
the vulture and free Prometheus from his chains.
Hesiod revisits the story of Prometheus in the Works and Days.
Here, the poet expands upon Zeus' reaction to the theft of fire. Not only does
Zeus withhold fire from men, but "the means of life," as well (42). Had
Prometheus not provoked Zeus' wrath (44-47), "you would easily do work enough in
a day to supply you for a full year even without working; soon would you put
away your rudder over the smoke, and the fields worked by ox and sturdy mule
would run to waste." Hesiod also expands upon the Theogony's story of the first
woman, now explicitly called Pandora. After Prometheus' theft of fire, Zeus sent
Pandora to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus. Pandora carried a jar with her, from
which she released (91-92) "evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases which
give men death."
Name: Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan known for his
wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to
mortals for their use. His myth has been treated by a number of ancient sources,
in which Prometheus is credited with (or blamed for) playing a pivotal role in
the early history of humankind.
The Prometheus myth first appears in the Greek epic poet Hesiod's (ca. the late
8th - early 7th centuries BC) Theogony. He was a son of the
Titan Iapetus by Themis or Clymene, one of the Oceanids. As a son of Iapetus he
was also a brother of Atlas, Menoetius and Epimetheus. In the Theogony, Hesiod
introduces Prometheus as a lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence.
At a meal marking the "settling of accounts" between mortals and immortals,
Prometheus plays a trick against Zeus (545-557). He places two sacrificial
offerings before the Olympian: a selection of ox meat hidden inside an ox's
stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the ox's bones
wrapped in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing
exterior). Zeus chooses the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices;
henceforth, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped
in fat as an offering to the gods. This angers Zeus, who hides fire from humans
in retribution. Prometheus, however, steals fire from Zeus and gives it back to
humans for their use. This further enrages Zeus, who sends mortal man the first
woman, presumably Pandora (590-93): "From her is the race of women and female
kind: of her is the deadly race and tribe of women who live amongst mortal men
to their great trouble, no helpmeets in hateful poverty, but only in wealth."
Prometheus, meanwhile, is chained to a rock where his regenerating liver is
eaten daily by a vulture. Years later the Greek hero Heracles would shoot
the vulture and free Prometheus from his chains.
Hesiod revisits the story of Prometheus in the Works and Days.
Here, the poet expands upon Zeus' reaction to the theft of fire. Not only does
Zeus withhold fire from men, but "the means of life," as well (42). Had
Prometheus not provoked Zeus' wrath (44-47), "you would easily do work enough in
a day to supply you for a full year even without working; soon would you put
away your rudder over the smoke, and the fields worked by ox and sturdy mule
would run to waste." Hesiod also expands upon the Theogony's story of the first
woman, now explicitly called Pandora. After Prometheus' theft of fire, Zeus sent
Pandora to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus. Pandora carried a jar with her, from
which she released (91-92) "evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases which
give men death."