This question has been nagging at my mind for days. I don't own an encyclopaedia of Greek & Roman mythology. I would like a summary outline of the Greek_mythology take on how fire was discovered. Thanks; cheers...
2006-09-21 16:32:50 · 20 answers · asked by Dalton C 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
It was Prometheus, a Titan and God that gave fire to man. Promethius helped make all the animals and and man out of clay with the help of his brother Epemetheus.WHen it came time to give out gifts to all the creations to help them survive, Epimetheus gave generously giving fur, claws, wings swiftness etc. to all the animals. When Man came for his gift there was none left. Prometheus felt sorry for the weak frail, naked Man so he stole fire from the heavens and gave it to him. Zeus looked down and saw light at night and smelled the cooking from fire and he kenew Prometheus had been the culprit. He sentenced him to be chained to a rock for eternity. Every day, his liver was torn out and eaten by an eagle (or buzzard). But since Prometheus was a god it grew back every nigh only to be ripped out anew the next day. Therefore, Prometheus be be eternally punished.But, When Hercules came along he released Prometheus,who then went before Zeus to plead his case. He told Zeus that with fire, man could sacrifice to the gods and worship them. Zeus though this was good, but he had decreed that Prometheus be eternally bound by the chain. So he had Hepheases(spelled wrong I know) (Vulcan in Roman) forge prometheus a ring out of the chain to wear as a reminder of his disobediance.
2006-09-21 16:59:02 · answer #1 · answered by Marcia B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prometheus
Prometheus was the wisest Titan. His name means "forethought" and he was able to foretell the future. He was the son of Iapetus. When Zeus revolted against Cronus Prometheus deserted the other Titans and fought on Zeus side.
By some accounts he and his brother Epimetheus were delagated by Zeus to create man. In all accounts, Prometheus is known as the protector and benifactor of man. He gave mankind a number of gifts including fire. He also tricked Zeus into allowing man to keep the best part of the animals scarificed to the gods and to give the gods the worst parts.
For this Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to a rock with an eagle tearing at his liver. He was to be left there for all eternity or until he agreed to disclose to Zeus which of Zeus children would try to replace him. He was eventually rescued by Hercules without giving in to Zeus.
2006-09-22 15:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by samanthajanecaroline 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Greek mythology fire was given to humans by a Titan named Prometheus. In retribution for this, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock and eagles tore out his liver every day.
2006-09-21 23:50:24 · answer #3 · answered by West Coast Nomad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no specific name for the mortal who discovered fire as it was a God who gave them fire. The God Prometheus gave humanity fire. This is because, Zeus had given all the other creatures on earth tools for them to survive apart from humans who were too scared to come out, so Prometheus who liked the humans went down and gave them fire, so they could hunt,keep warm and protect themselves from wild animals. When Zeus discovered this he called Prometheus to him and then with solid chains tied Prometheus to a rock face where a bird would eat his liver which would heal then he would eat it the next day, this went on for years and finally he was forgiven and was told he could leave but he asked to stay where he was but be he asked to be turned into stone so humans would remember him for all time,
2006-09-22 02:55:59 · answer #4 · answered by sally l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Greek mythology Promethius sneaked into the heavens and stole the fire form the Gods themselves and ran with a branch of it down mount olympus and gave it to man. Zeus was said to be so nagered that for his punishment he was tied to a rock and an eagle was sent to peck out his liver. Every night his liver grows back and every morning the eagle comes back to peck it out again. It was said that his punishement would last for as long as man uses fire.
2006-09-22 17:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by Emma O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prometheus
2006-09-21 23:58:33 · answer #6 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prometheus
2006-09-21 23:42:18 · answer #7 · answered by papayas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prometheus
2006-09-21 23:36:31 · answer #8 · answered by oohhbother 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Titan Prometheus stole fire from the gods.
2006-09-22 03:37:20 · answer #9 · answered by Flower 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mortal didn't discover fire. It was given to mortals by Prometheus, the Titan.
2006-09-21 23:35:19 · answer #10 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋