Prometheus (mythology), in Greek mythology, one of the Titans, known as the friend and benefactor of humanity, the son of the Titan Iapetus by the sea nymph Clymene or the Titaness Themis. Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus were given the task of creating humanity and providing humans and all the animals on earth with the endowments they would need to survive. Epimetheus (whose name means afterthought) accordingly proceeded to bestow on the various animals gifts of courage, strength, swiftness, and feathers, fur, and other protective coverings. When it came time to create a being who was to be superior to all other living creatures, Epimetheus found he had been so reckless with his resources that he had nothing left to bestow. He was forced to ask his brother's help, and Prometheus (whose name means forethought) took over the task of creation. To make humans superior to the animals, he fashioned them in nobler form and enabled them to walk upright. He then went up to heaven and lit a torch with fire from the sun. The gift of fire that Prometheus bestowed upon humanity was more valuable than any of the gifts the animals had received.
Because of his actions Prometheus incurred the wrath of the god Zeus. Not only did he steal the fire he gave to humans, but he also tricked the gods so that they should get the worst parts of any animal sacrificed to them, and human beings the best. In one pile, Prometheus arranged the edible parts of an ox in a hide and disguised them with a covering of entrails. In the other, he placed the bones, which he covered with fat. Zeus, asked to choose between the two, took the fat and was very angry when he discovered that it covered a pile of bones. Thereafter, only fat and bones were sacrificed to the gods; the good meat was kept for mortals. For Prometheus's transgressions, Zeus had him chained to a rock in the Caucasus, where he was constantly preyed upon by an eagle. Finally he was freed by the hero Hercules, who slew the eagle.
But he is the MOST important because he is the father of science, and he is the father of all arts, before Apollo became the god of art .
2007-03-26 12:11:53
·
answer #1
·
answered by Kinka 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
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.
2007-03-25 19:09:08
·
answer #2
·
answered by Angie P. 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Zeus sent most of the Titans to Tartarus to punish them for fighting against him in the Titanomachy, but since the second generation Titan Prometheus had not sided with his aunts, uncles, and brother Atlas, Zeus spared him. Zeus then assigned Prometheus the task of forming man from water and earth, which he did, but in the process, became fonder of men than Zeus had anticipated. Zeus didn't share Prometheus' feelings and wanted to prevent men from having power, especially over fire.Prometheus cared more for man than for the wrath of the increasingly powerful and autocratic king of the gods, so he stole fire from Zeus' lightning, concealed it in a hollow stalk of fennel, and brought it to man.Prometheus also stole skills from Hephaestus and Athena to give to man. Then, when Zeus and he were discussing the ceremonial forms for animal sacrifice, Prometheus devised a way to help man. He divided the slaughtered animal parts into two packets. In one was the ox meat and innards wrapped up in the stomach lining. In the other packet were the ox bones wrapped up in its own rich fat. Prometheus presented Zeus with a choice between the two, and Zeus took the richer appearing. As a result of this trick, man would thereafter be able to feast on the meat whenever it sacrificed (burned bones) to the gods.
2007-03-25 23:26:57
·
answer #3
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
Greek Myths are actually not purely fairy memories. they don't seem to be merely memories. they are Allegorical messages with regards to the human concern and approximately how our minds and psyches are made and how they functionality. in addition they tells the tale of the human race, no longer purely the Greeks. they are like the Christian Parables in a manner. they have a deeper meaning this is hidden. they are crammed with ARCHETYPICAL pictures. All those monsters and Gods describe factors of our collective subconscious. Greek Mythology is a handbook to ageless understanding and non secular enlightenment for people who understand the thank you to interpet it and stick to it. this is why it has usual charm.
2016-12-19 13:58:33
·
answer #4
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
Prometheus was the Titan that brought fire to human beings.
2007-03-26 03:58:03
·
answer #5
·
answered by Rev. Two Bears 6
·
0⤊
0⤋