Prometheus ‘Fire Bringer’ – Hero Stealing Fire From Gods Giving It To Mortals

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - In Greek mythology, Prometheus ("forethinker") was a son of the Titan Iapetus, a brother of Atlas, Menoitios (Menoetius), and Epimetheus ("afterthought").

Prometheus and Epimetheus were tasked with creating humankind and animals out of clay.

Prometheus. source

Prometheus's nature was the opposite of that of his brother Epimetheus, who was impulsive and made things happen in a hurry without careful thought. He gave beasts several wonderful gifts like swiftness, strength, powerful claws, and the ability to fly. On the other hand, Prometheus wanted to create man thoroughly, so he made man in the image and likeness of gods. He allowed man to go upright and look towards the sky, but he still wanted to give humanity much more.

Prometheus Disagrees With Zeus

One morning, Prometheus approached the mighty god Zeus and said,

"O Thunderer, I do not understand your design. You have caused the race of man to appear on earth, but you keep him in ignorance and darkness."

"Perhaps you had better leave the race of man to me," said Zeus.

"What you call ignorance is innocence. What you call darkness is the shadow of my decree. Man is happy now. And he is so framed that he will remain happy unless someone persuades him that he is unhappy. Let us not speak of this again."

But Prometheus said, "Look at him. Look below. He crouches in caves. He is at the mercy of beast and weather. He eats his meat raw. If you mean something by this, enlighten me with your wisdom. Tell me why you refuse to give man the gift of fire."

Zeus answered, "Do you not know, Prometheus, that every gift brings a penalty? It is the way the Fates weave destiny—by which gods also must abide."

Man does not have a true fire, nor the crafts that fire teaches. On the other hand, he does not know the disease, warfare, old age, or that inward pest called worry. He is happy, I say, happy without fire. And so he shall remain."

Prometheus still was not convinced and answered Zeus:

"Happy as beasts are happy," said Prometheus. "Of what use to make a separate race called the man and endow him with little fur, some wit, and a curious charm of unpredictability? If he must live like this, why separate him from the beasts at all?"

Pandora by John William Waterhouse (1849–1917). source

Zeus explained that man was first of all created because of his capacity for worship. Zeus did not think that people would have access to the fire.

Prometheus Defies Zeus

Finally, Prometheus defied the will of Zeus and traveled to Mount Olympus. He stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity.

"…He left the fire burning in the first cave, with children staring at it wide-eyed, and then went to every cave in the land…" the legend says. It was a true gift and an important resource, that before was unknown to mankind. He also taught mankind agriculture, writing, medicine, mathematics, and science. His deeds enabled the birth of global enlightenment and progress on earth, but they also had serious negative consequences.

Harsh Punishment Of Prometheus

The gods severely punished Prometheus for his multiple transgressions. He was chained to the rocks of the Caucasus, where he had to spend thousands of years. Zeus sent two vultures (or the Caucasian eagle, in some versions of the story) to hover about him forever, tearing at his belly and devouring his liver. As Prometheus was immortal, his lever was growing each night and his torture continued repeatedly.

A beautiful Pandora, the first woman, was most probably created by Hephaestus (Hephaistos) and used by Zeus to deliver misfortune and misery to the planet inhabited by man.

Prometheus Brings Fire by Heinrich Friedrich Füger. Prometheus brings fire to mankind as told by Hesiod, with its having been hidden as revenge for the trick at Mecone. Image credit: Heinrich Füger - Public Domain

Before Pandora left Olympus, she was given a box ( or a jar) and warned never to open it. Still, one day, curiosity drove her to open it, and thus, countless evil creatures like diseases, plagues, and disastrous famine took over the four corners of the earth. None of the people could even have imagined all the distress and misery as vicious insects flew out. Now, when almost all of the box's contents had already passed out, Pandora managed to fix the lid. The only thing left on the bottom of the box was – Hope.

Since then, accidents have been human companions, and they reach us everywhere, no matter time, place, and age; what do we have when something tragic and dreadful happens? We have – hope, which never leaves the human race.

It is the gift of the gods for comfort and relief.

Prometheus Released By Heracles

Finally, Prometheus was released by another great hero, Heracles, who was brave enough to defy the gods and their power. Heracles passed by the Caucasus rock as he headed for the garden of the Hesperides.
He climbed to the peak in the Caucasus, struck the restraints from Prometheus, and killed the vultures.

Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

Updated on August 19, 2024

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