The Myth of Prometheus Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsThe Myth of Prometheus Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsForAna Lucia Santana
There are several versions of the myth of Prometheus, the hero of Greek mythology. His name, in the Greek language,
it means 'premeditation'. And that's really what thistitan, one of the gods who faces Olympus and
their deities, but practices in their trajectory, the art of planning their plans in advance
sly, with the intention of deceiving the Olympic gods.
He was the son of Japetus and Asia, brother of Atlas,
Epimetheus and Menoeceus, and he became the progenitor
of Deucalion. Another less
significantly points to the parents of Prometheus as the
goddessHeraand the giant Eurimedon. This god was
the co-creator, alongside Epimetheus, of the race
human, and she is also attributed with the theft of
divine fire, with which he gifted the
Humanity.
Very friend ofZeus, the cunning Prometheus
helped the supreme god to dodge the fury of his
father Cronos, who was dethroned by his son.
the gift of immortality did not prevent him from
to get too close to Man, his creation -
according to some stories, he would have it
conceived with clay and water, after its
brother exhausted all the raw material of which
available with the generation of other animals, and
he asked for help to create the human race.
Prometheus with the Divine Fire. Painting by Heinrich Fueger (1817)
He granted humanity the power to think and reason, as well as imparted to them the most
various trades and skills. But this preference of Prometheus for the company of men left the
wrathful Zeus. The anger of this deity grew more and more when he discovered that
your supposed friend was betraying you.
The titan killed a bull and divided it into two pieces, both hidden in leather strips; from these fractions
a little bit had only fat and bones, while the meat was reserved for the smaller piece.
Prometheus tried to offer the minimal part to the Olympic gods, but Zeus did not accept it, because
he wished for a bigger piece. Thus, the son of Iapetus granted him this whim, but upon giving
Upon finding out that he had been deceived, Zeus becomes furious and takes away from the human race the dominion of fire.
It is when Prometheus, once again wishing to benefit Humanity, steals fire from Olympus,
playing a trick on the powerful gods. Another version justifies this escapade of Prometheus.
as a way to obtain for the human race an element that would ensure the necessary
supremacy over other living beings.
The fact is that Zeus decided to punish Prometheus, decreeing to the blacksmithHephaestusthat it would catch me in
currents alongside the top of the Caucasus mountain, for 30 thousand years, during which it would be
daily pecked by an eagle, which would destroy his liver. As Prometheus was immortal, his
the organ constantly regenerated, and the destructive cycle restarted every day. This lasted until
the heroHerculeshe freed him, substituting him in captivity for thecentaurChiron, likewise immortal.
Zeus had determined that only the exchange of Prometheus for another eternal being could restore him.
freedom. As Chiron had been struck by an arrow, and his wound was incurable, he
He was condemned to suffer eternally from piercing pains. Thus, replacing Prometheus, Zeus him
allowed to become mortal and perish peacefully. This beautiful myth was transformed into a famous one.
tragedy by the Greek poet Aeschylus, in the 5th century BC, titled Prometheus Bound.
Prometheus Bound (painting by Dirck van Baburen - 1595-1624)
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]