The Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity – and paid a terrible price. Prometheus became the eternal symbol of human progress, rebellion and self-sacrifice. Here is his story.
Who is Prometheus?
Prometheus is a Titan of Greek mythology, son of Iapetus and brother of Atlas. His name means "forethought". Although a Titan, he sided with Zeus in the war against the Titans, and he was known as the cleverest of his kind and the great friend and benefactor of humanity. In art he is shown carrying a blazing torch or a fennel stalk with fire inside, or chained to a rock with an eagle above him.
The creator of humankind
In one ancient tradition, Prometheus shaped the first human beings out of clay and water, and Athena breathed life into them. While his brother Epimetheus ("afterthought") gave all the good gifts – speed, strength, fur and claws – to the animals, Prometheus resolved to give humans something greater.
The trick at Mecone
When gods and mortals met at Mecone to decide how sacrifices would be shared, Prometheus divided an ox into two portions: the meat hidden under the unappealing stomach, and the bones wrapped in shining fat. Zeus chose the attractive portion – the bones – and from then on, humans kept the meat for themselves and burned the bones for the gods. Angry at the trick, Zeus took fire away from mankind.
The theft of fire
Prometheus climbed to Olympus, lit a fennel stalk at the hearth of the gods (or at the forge of Hephaestus) and carried the fire down to earth hidden inside it. With fire, humans could cook, keep warm, work metal and develop the arts and crafts – civilisation itself began. In Aeschylus' tragedy Prometheus Bound, the Titan says he taught mankind writing, numbers, medicine, sailing and the reading of the stars.
Punishment and liberation
Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains. Every day an eagle – the bird of Zeus – came to devour his liver, which grew back each night. For mankind, Zeus ordered Hephaestus to create Pandora, whose jar released all the evils into the world, leaving only hope inside. After many generations, the hero Heracles shot the eagle with an arrow and freed Prometheus, with Zeus' consent.
Prometheus in art and in your home
Prometheus symbolises knowledge, innovation, courage and sacrifice for others. Mary Shelley subtitled Frankenstein "The Modern Prometheus", and the famous golden statue at Rockefeller Center in New York shows him bringing fire to the world. A Prometheus statue is a meaningful piece for a study, library or office, and a perfect gift for teachers, scientists, engineers, doctors and anyone who brings light to others.
Related gods
Read the stories of Zeus, who punished him, his brother Atlas, Hephaestus and Heracles, who set him free. Browse all the gods in our Greek Mythology collection.
