The Story of Prometheus
Prometheus was a son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, and the brother of Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. His name means forethought, and he was the cleverest of the Titans. When war broke out between the Titans and the young Olympian gods, he saw how it would end and sided with Zeus.
In many tellings, Prometheus shaped the first humans out of clay and water. He cared for these fragile creatures more than any other god did. When his brother Epimetheus handed out claws, wings and fur to the animals and left nothing for people, it was Prometheus who set out to help them.
At Mecone, gods and mortals met to decide how sacrifices would be shared. Prometheus wrapped the good meat inside an ox's stomach and covered the bones in rich, glistening fat, then asked Zeus to choose. Zeus picked the fat covered bones, and from then on people kept the meat for themselves and burned the bones for the gods.
Furious at being tricked, Zeus took fire away from humanity. Prometheus would not let his creations freeze in the dark. He stole fire from the gods, hid a glowing ember inside a hollow fennel stalk, and carried it down to earth, and with it he taught people the crafts and skills that fire made possible.
Zeus punished humanity by sending Pandora, the first woman, whose jar released troubles into the world. For Prometheus he chose a crueler fate. He had him chained to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains, where an eagle came every day to eat his liver, which grew back each night so the torment never ended.
Prometheus held one weapon over Zeus, a secret prophecy. He knew that the sea nymph Thetis was destined to bear a son greater than his father, and if Zeus married her, he would be overthrown. In some tellings, revealing this secret helped win his freedom, and Thetis was married instead to the mortal Peleus.
After many long years, the hero Heracles shot the eagle with an arrow and set Prometheus free, with Zeus's blessing. The Athenians honored him alongside Athena and Hephaestus, and held torch races in his name. To this day Prometheus stands as a symbol of daring, sacrifice and the human drive for knowledge.
Famous Myths About Prometheus
Shaping Humanity
In many tellings, Prometheus shaped the first humans from clay and water. He cared deeply for his creations and became their champion among the gods.
The Trick at Mecone
When gods and mortals met to decide how to share sacrifices, Prometheus hid the good meat inside an ox stomach and wrapped the bones in glistening fat. Zeus chose the fat-covered bones, and from then on humans kept the meat and burned the bones for the gods.
Stealing Fire
Angry at the trick, Zeus withheld fire from humans. Prometheus stole it from the gods, hid it inside a hollow fennel stalk, and brought it down to humankind.
The Eagle and the Rock
As punishment, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains. Every day an eagle came to eat his liver, and every night it grew back, until Heracles finally shot the eagle and set him free.
Prometheus's Family Tree
Parents of Prometheus
Partners of Prometheus
Children of Prometheus
Frequently Asked Questions About Prometheus
Who is Prometheus in Greek mythology?
Prometheus is the Titan of forethought and the great champion of humanity. In some stories, he shaped the first humans out of clay.
What did Prometheus do?
Prometheus stole fire from the gods, hid it in a hollow fennel stalk and gave it to humans, along with the skills to use it.
How was Prometheus punished?
Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains, where an eagle ate his liver every day, and every night the liver grew back.
Who freed Prometheus?
The hero Heracles shot the eagle with an arrow and freed Prometheus from his chains.
Who are Prometheus's parents?
Prometheus is the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, and the brother of Atlas and Epimetheus.
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