Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth (2024)

Top Questions

Who is Prometheus?

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. In common belief, he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection, he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker.

Why did Zeus punish Prometheus?

Zeus, the chief god, who had been tricked by Prometheus into accepting the bones and fat of sacrifice instead of the meat, hid fire from mortals. Prometheus, however, stole it and returned it to Earth once again.

How did Zeus punish Prometheus?

According to one tale told by Hesiod, Zeus avenged himself on Prometheus by having him nailed to a mountain in the Caucasus and then sent an eagle to eat his immortal liver, which constantly replenished itself.

How is Prometheus depicted in Prometheus Bound?

Aeschylus in Prometheus Bound depicts Prometheus as not only the bringer of fire and civilization to mortals but also their preserver, giving them all the arts and sciences as well as the means of survival.

Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth (1)

Prometheus, in Greek religion, one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker. In common belief he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals.

The Greek poet Hesiod related two principal legends concerning Prometheus. The first is that Zeus, the chief god, who had been tricked by Prometheus into accepting the bones and fat of sacrifice instead of the meat, hid fire from mortals. Prometheus, however, stole it and returned it to Earth once again. As the price of fire, and as punishment for humankind in general, Zeus created the woman Pandora and sent her down to Epimetheus (Hindsight), who, though warned by Prometheus, married her. Pandora took the great lid off the jar she carried, and evils, hard work, and disease flew out to plague humanity. Hope alone remained within.

Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth (2)

Britannica Quiz

From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology

Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth (3)

Hesiod relates in his other tale that, as vengeance on Prometheus, Zeus had him nailed to a mountain in the Caucasus and sent an eagle to eat his immortal liver, which constantly replenished itself; Prometheus was depicted in Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, who made him not only the bringer of fire and civilization to mortals but also their preserver, giving them all the arts and sciences as well as the means of survival.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth (2024)

FAQs

Prometheus | God, Description, Meaning, & Myth? ›

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is one of the Titans

Titans
Titan, in Greek mythology, any of the children of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth) and their descendants. According to Hesiod's Theogony, there were 12 original Titans: the brothers Oceanus, Coeus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Cronus and the sisters Thea, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoebe, and Tethys.
https://www.britannica.com › topic › Titan-Greek-mythology
, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. In common belief, he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection, he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker.

What is the meaning of the myth of Prometheus? ›

In the Western classical tradition, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving (particularly the quest for scientific knowledge) and the risk of overreaching or unintended consequences.

Who is Prometheus short description? ›

Prometheus' name means forethought, and many of the Greek stories feature him as an intelligent, opportunistic character. This god is famous for creating humans out of clay and water and endowing them with the gift of fire, usually reserved for gods.

What best describes Prometheus? ›

In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus had a reputation as being something of a clever trickster and he famously gave the human race the gift of fire and the skill of metalwork, an action for which he was punished by Zeus, who ensured everyday that an eagle ate the liver of the Titan as he was helplessly chained to a ...

How is Prometheus characterized in this myth? ›

Prometheus demonstrates the value of thought and knowledge in progress as well as in the opposition and temperance of tyrannical power. He is a rare example of a Greek tragic hero whose faults, such as excessive pride and stubbornness, ennoble him.

Is Prometheus a good or bad god? ›

This son of a Titan is regarded as one of the great benefactors of humankind, the bringer of fire and the original teacher of technology and the useful arts to man. The great love he had for humans often brought Prometheus into a dangerous conflict with Zeus, the mighty and cruel chief of the Olympian gods.

What is the myth of Prometheus for kids? ›

Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. Zeus saw what Prometheus had done and became angry. He had Prometheus tied to a rock. Every day an eagle ate Prometheus' liver.

Who is the main character in the myth of Prometheus? ›

Prometheus is the titan of foresight and fire in Greek myth. The only titan to take Zeus's side in the Titanomachy, the war of the Olympians against the old gods, the titans, led by Chronos, father of the gods. Prometheus was the creator of men, whom he formed from clay and imbued with life.

Why did Zeus punish Prometheus? ›

In his anger over the trick he took fire away from man. However, Prometheus lit a torch from the sun and brought it back again to man. Zeus was enraged that man again had fire. He decided to inflict a terrable punishment on both man and Prometheus.

Is Prometheus the bad guy? ›

Hesiod shows that he favors Zeus in another way when he casts Prometheus as the bad guy. In fact, Prometheus helps mankind by bringing them fire. Hesiod also leaves out the story of how Prometheus created men: a later writer called Apollodorus says that he "molded men out of water and earth" (Apollodorus 1.7.

What are two character traits that might describe Prometheus? ›

Prometheus is a cross between a rebel archetype, a symbol of intelligence, and the personification of human progress. As a result, he experiences something like a split personality disorder, as rebellion slowly takes over from intellect and progress. In the first stage, Prometheus stands as the intellectual figure.

What is the message in Prometheus? ›

While the play mostly seems to be a narrative around a specific episode in Greek mythology, it contains a deeper message: Justice will be done. The play begins with the binding of Prometheus to a mountain. This is his punishment for stealing fire from the gods and bringing it to the humans.

How did Prometheus get punished? ›

Prometheus was punished by Zeus because he stole fire to give back to mankind. He was chained to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains, and every day an eagle came and ate part of his liver. Each night, his liver would regrow, which meant he had to endure his punishment for eternity.

Is Prometheus a hero myth? ›

In his earliest sources, he is actually considered to have been a meddler that doomed mankind to a lifestyle filled with hardship because he dared to defy the gods. However he has evolved into much more of a heroic creator figure in later myths.

Why did Prometheus give humans fire? ›

Because he had a kind heart, and he knew how much man needed fire for food and warmth, Prometheus gave man the secret of fire even though Zeus had told all the gods not to do that. Zeus was furious that his order had been ignored.

Why did Prometheus steal fire? ›

1), the Titan-god Prometheus steals the heavenly fire for humanity, enabling the progress of civilization, for which he was punished by being chained to a mountain and having his liver eaten by an eagle every day until being eventually being freed by the hero Heracles.

What does the myth of Prometheus teach? ›

There are many different interpretations of the moral of the story of Prometheus. Some say that it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of stealing fire from the gods, while others believe that it is a story about the power of hope and determination.

What is Prometheus a metaphor for? ›

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a divine sculptor who creates humans out of clay, molding their biological form with his skilled hands. The life-shaping hands of Prometheus are a metaphor for genetic engineering, which gives humans the power to sculpt, in fine detail, the genetic structure of life.

What is the meaning of modern Prometheus? ›

Like Prometheus' sacred fire, Victor Frankenstein's science gives humans what once had belonged only to the gods: immortality. Like the eagle tearing out Prometheus' liver, Victor's loved ones are torn from him. Victor's monster also resembles the modern Prometheus in that he signifies liberation from a creator.

What does it mean to call someone Prometheus? ›

Since Prometheus was the giver of fire in Greek mythology, this was probably someone's way to call you a flamer.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6282

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.