Prometheus presents himself as Titan the welfare and protector of people, associated with the creation of mankind from clay and with the donation of fire. The account covers his family, the variations of his ancestry and descendants, as well as his role in mythology and worship.
The text summarizes its basic myths: its deception Zeus in Meconi, the theft of the fire, the punishment by binding the Caucasus and his release from Hercules. It also refers to the additions of Aeschylus, where Prometheus appears as a teacher of the arts and benefactor of humanity.
| Name | Prometheus |
|---|---|
| Parents | Japan and Ink (or Asia) |
| Residence | Olympus (formerly), Caucasus (exile) |
| Roles and Responsibilities | Titan of predictability, creator and patron of people, donor of fire |
| Other Names | Suppliers |
| Husbands | Sightseeing (in some traditions) |
| Children | Deucalion (in some versions) |
| Symbols | Fire, chains, eagle, Caucasus rock |
| Roman Name | Prometheus |
- Prometheus was the Titanic god of welfare and intelligent advice, which was commissioned to make humanity of clay. His efforts to improve people's lives brought him into conflict with Jupiter.
Who was Prometheus in detail?
- Prometheus was the Titanic god of welfare and intelligent counsel, which was commissioned to make humanity of clay. His efforts to improve people's lives brought him into conflict with Jupiter. Initially, he deceived the gods to get the best part of the sacrifice, keeping the meat for humans. Then, when Zeus hid the fire from the mortals, Prometheus stole it from heaven and handed it over to the people hidden inside a fennel stem. As punishment for these revolutionary acts, Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora (of the first woman), as a means to bring bad luck to man or to deprive him of the presence of good spirits. Prometheus, on the other hand, was arrested and tied to a stake on the mountain Caucasus, where an eagle eats its constantly regenerating liver (or, otherwise, its heart). Generations later, the great hero Hercules He freed old Titan from his torture.
Prometheus was associated in worship and mythology with the god of fire Hephaestus And with the giant Title.
Family of Prometheus
Parents
Iapetos & Klymeni (Hesiod, Theogonia 507; Works and Days 54; Yield, Fabulae 142)
Japan & Asia (Apollodor 1.8)
Iapetus alone (Kintos Smyrneus 10,190, Diodoros Siciliotis 5.67(1), Ovid Metamorphosis 1.82, Valerios Flakkos 4.60, Optianos, Halieutica 5.4)
Themis or Gaia (Aeschylus, Prometheus Despot 8, 211, 873)
Children:
Deucalion (with Providence) (Hesiod, List 1)
Deucalion (Apollodor 1.45, Ovid Metamorphosis 1,363)
Greek, Deucalion (with Closed) (Schooling in Apollonio Rhodium 2,1086)
Aides (Pindar, Olympians 3)
Encyclopedic presentation
- Prometheus (Promêtheus) is sometimes called Titan, although it actually did not belong to Titans, but was Titan's son. Japan and Covered, his brother Atlas, Menetium and Epithea. His name means "prudence" or "prognosis", while his brother Epimetheus means "repentance". Other traditions want him her son Themes, or Heaven and Closure, or Titan's Broad-mouthed and Hera.
With Pandora, Hesion or Reliability, is said to have acquired Deucalion. With Pyrra or Klymeni she gave birth to the Greek (and according to some Deucalion). With Kelaineau he was the father of Wolf and Himarea, while Herodotus mentions Asia as his husband.
The basic myths
During the period of Zeus' power, when gods and people disagreed in Mecone (later Sicyon), Prometheus, to deceive Zeus, cut a bull in two places: in one he wrapped the best pieces and intestines with the skin, and put the stomach, one of the worst places. In the second he put the bones covered in fat. Zeus, angry but observing Prometheus' strategy, chose the bones with fat. To avenge, he hid the fire from the people, but Prometheus stole it hidden inside a fennel stem.
To punish the people, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to form the Pandora, the first woman, whom Athena adorned with every charm to lure mortals. Prometheus bound himself to a pillar, where an eagle sent by Zeus devoured his liver, which was reborn every night. Later, the Hercules He killed the eagle and released Prometheus with Zeus' consent.
Prometheus had warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but he ignored counsel and accepted Pandora. She opened the vessel that hid all mankind's misfortunes, leaving only the deceptive hope behind.
A shame and additions to mythology
In his trilogy Prometheus Commitee, Aeschylus presents him as an immortal god, friend of men, donor of fire, inventor of the arts, omniscient and heroic tormented being. Although Titan, he helped Zeus against the Titans and was reportedly opened Zeus' head when Athena was born. Prometheus also taught people the art of writing, architecture, astronomy, medicine, navigation, metalworking and other useful arts, as well as hope.
For his disobedience, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to tie him to a rock in Scythia, in the presence of the gods of State and Violence. He was visited by Oceanides and Io, and foretold their future. Later, permission was granted to be replaced by Chiron or, according to other traditions, Zeus himself released him when Prometheus revealed the secret of fate.
Creation of humanity
Prometheus made people from land and water, either at the beginning of humanity or after the deluge of Deucalion. He gave them characteristics of all animals and predicted situations such as the construction of a ship by Deucalion. It is also said that with Athena's help he stole the fire from the chariot of the Sun to bring it to humans.
In Athens, Prometheus had a shrine in Academy, from where a candle race was organized in his honor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prometheus
Who was Prometheus?
Prometheus was a Titan of Greek mythology, known for his intelligence and charity towards people. He is considered a protector of knowledge and progress.
What did Prometheus do for people?
According to legend, he stole the fire from the gods of Olympus and gave it to people, offering them the opportunity to develop culture, technology and arts.
What was the punishment of Prometheus?
Zeus punished him by tying him to a rock in the Caucasus, where every day an eagle ate his liver, which was reborn every night.
Who released him?
Hero Hercules released him by killing the eagle and breaking his bonds, according to tradition.
What does Prometheus symbolize?
It symbolizes progress, rebellion against power, knowledge and sacrifice for the good of humanity.
Why is he so important in mythology?
Because it is one of the most intense forms of resistance to the gods, representing human creativity and hope.