Prometheus was the famous Titan god<\/a> of fire. His name is thought to mean “forethought’. He is credited with molding mankind out of mud and clay. Unfortunately, his desire to improve the lives of his creations, resulted in constant conflict with Zeus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Son of the Oceanid<\/a> Clymene and the Titan Iapetus<\/a>, he along with his brother Epimetheus<\/a> fought for Zeus<\/a> and the rest of the Olympians<\/a> in the Titanomachy<\/a>. However, after aiding Zeus and helping him win the war, he began to quarrel with him about his unfair treatment of humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often regarded as a trickster, Prometheus first tested Zeus by tricking the gods during a sacrificial feast. He then stole fire from the gods up in heaven and gave it to mankind, resulting in years of torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As punishment for his rebelliousness, Zeus chained him to a cliff and had an eagle feast upon his regenerating liver day in and day out. He also created the first woman, Pandora, to bring misfortune and calamity to the house of man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generations later, Zeus\u2019 son, the great hero Heracles<\/a>, came to the rescue by shooting the eagle and freeing Prometheus. While he made peace with Zeus afterwards, he would continue to be held in high regard as a spreader of knowledge and romanticized as a hero for his acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hesiod\u2019s Theogony<\/a> states Prometheus was the son of the Titan Iapetus, and his mother was the Oceanid Clymene. Most scholars agree, but there have been other references to him being the son of Iapetos and Asia, the Titan Eurymedon and Hera<\/a>, or of Uranus<\/a> and Clymene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As far as the rest of his family goes, Prometheus was the brother of fellow Titans Menoetius<\/a>, Atlas<\/a>, and Epimetheus. The duo of Prometheus (Forethought) and Epimetheus (Afterthought) have been referenced countless times throughout Greek mythology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prometheus had three children: Deucalion, Hellen, and Aidos. Deucalion was eerily similar to Noah in the Christian Bible. Like Noah, he survived a great flood responsible for wiping out the rest of humanity, and he was able to do so by floating in a massive chest for nine days and nine nights. He and his wife Pyrrha<\/a> were the only survivors, and they are credited with repopulating the human race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to the creation of humanity, there was a great battle between the Greek gods and a race of giants known as the Titans. The Titans not killed in the battle were driven to Tartarus<\/a> to spend their days in eternal hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being a Titan himself, Prometheus, whose name translates to foresight, convinced his brother Epimetheus to fight alongside him with the Olympian gods led by Zeus. In fact, Prometheus was one of the battle\u2019s ringleaders, helping Zeus defeat the Titans and take control of the heavens in a struggle said to have lasted over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He switched sides in support of the victorious Olympians simply because the Titans refused to follow his advice to apply trickery and deception in the battle. His two other brothers, Atlas<\/a> and Menoetius, remained loyal and fought with their fellow Titans against Prometheus, Epimetheus, and the Olympians. However, they and the rest of the Titans were defeated, proving it\u2019s wise to follow someone with the name \u201cforethought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As thanks for fighting alongside the Olympians in the Titanomachy and helping them win the decade long battle, Zeus entrusted the Titan brothers with the responsibility of creating every living thing, including man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Epimetheus was tasked with blessing creatures with gifts of the gods. He gave flight to some creatures and the ability to race through grass or move through water to others. He gave the beasts sharp claws, soft fur, and glittering scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Prometheus was busy shaping mud to make the first humans. They were formed to reflect the image of the gods. According to some authors, Athena brought the clay figures formed by Prometheus to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite looking like them, Zeus ordered the humans to remain mortal. They were also ordered to worship the gods of Mount Olympus<\/a> from Earth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why? Well, because Zeus saw the humans as subservient creatures, so he made them dependent on the Olympians for protection from the elements and monstrous creatures like the Hydra, Sphinx<\/a>, or Nemean Lion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Prometheus wanted to give his creations a greater purpose and completely opposed Zeus\u2019 decree. So, when asked by Zeus how sacrifices were to be made, the cunning Prometheus devised a trick to give humans a bit more power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The relationship between Zeus and Prometheus began to sour when Zeus declared himself the sovereign ruler of both gods and men. In Prometheus’ eyes, humankind deserved much better than Zeus\u2019 tyrannical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rift between the Forethinker and the Thunderer really took shape at Mecone, where Zeus tasked Prometheus with divvying up the meat of a large ox into two separate meals. One meal was for the gods, while the other was for the humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the creator of humans, Prometheus had an affinity for them. So, not content with his command, he tried tricking Zeus by wrapping a portion of bones in fat and covering a portion of fine meats with the animal\u2019s insides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not expecting the trickery, Zeus went with the fat-covered bones, thinking it was the best portion. He was outraged when he discovered the deception and forbade humans from using fire to cook meat, keep warm, or for any other purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enraged by Prometheus\u2019 trick, Zeus punished mankind by denying them the gift of fire. Prometheus felt this was unjust and felt sorry for man\u2019s weakened state, so he climbed Mount Olympus and stole the fire from the workshop of Athena<\/a> and Hephaistos. According to myth, he was able to steal the fire by hiding it inside of a fennel stalk and bringing it down safely from Mount Olympus in order to help ease the struggles of man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another version of the story, humankind already had fire. However, when Prometheus tried tricking Zeus into eating bones and fat rather than the best meats during a meal on Mount Olympus, Zeus took fire away from the humans, making them eat their meat raw. As in the other version, Prometheus stole the fire for mankind\u2019s use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This gave them the ability to harness nature and use it for their own benefit. With fire, humans could elevate their existence with warmth and cooked food. They could also forge weapons to defend themselves and wage war. Ultimately, Prometheus\u2019 flames acted as a catalyst for the rapid progression of civilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To honor this act, the Athenians held a race in which teams of runners passed a flaming torch from one teammate to another. The final runner of the first-place team had the privilege of using the torch to light a sacrificial fire on Athena\u2019s altar at the Acropolis. The race soon became tradition and marked the origin of the Olympic flame ceremony still taking place today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrometheus’ Family<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prometheus and the Titanomachy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prometheus and the Creation of Man<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prometheus vs. Zeus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Trick at Mecone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Stealing Fire<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Punishment of the Humans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n