Prometheus
The Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, suffering eternal punishment for the gift.
The Myth of Prometheus
Prometheus, whose name means forethought, was the son of Iapetus and Clymene. He was the great champion of humanity, defying Zeus twice on mankind's behalf. First, at Mecone, he tricked Zeus during the division of sacrificial meat, wrapping bones in glistening fat while hiding the choice meat under the stomach lining. Zeus, forced to choose the attractive portion, received only bones — establishing the precedent that humans keep the best meat while gods receive smoke and fat. Enraged, Zeus withheld fire from mortals. Prometheus stole it in a fennel stalk from the forge of Hephaestus and delivered it to humanity. For this crime, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock in the Caucasus where an eagle devoured his liver each day, the organ regenerating each night. This continued for generations until Heracles shot the eagle and freed the Titan — with Zeus's eventual consent, to glorify his son.
Fun Fact
Element 61, promethium, was named after Prometheus — fitting, as it was created by nuclear fission, a modern theft of fire.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Prometheus
🏔 titanTitan of forethought, champion of mankind
The Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, earning eternal punishment. Prometheus is one of mythology's greatest rebels and benefactors.
Prometheus
🏔 titanTitan of forethought
Prometheus the Titan was the creator and champion of humanity whose gift of fire sparked civilisation and whose punishment on the Caucasus became a symbol of defiant resistance.
Prometheus
🏔 titanpunishment
Titan who stole fire from the gods for humanity and was chained to a mountain where an eagle ate his liver daily.
Prometheus
🗡 heroBringer of fire and champion of humanity
Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, for which Zeus chained him to a rock where an eagle devoured his liver daily — the archetypal rebel against divine authority.
Epimetheus
🏔 titanTitan who accepted Pandora
The Titan whose name means afterthought — he accepted Pandora despite his brother's warning, unleashing suffering.
Menoetius
🏔 titanHubris, Recklessness
A second-generation Titan struck down by Zeus for his violent pride during the war between gods and Titans.
Iapetus
🏔 titanTitan father of Prometheus and Atlas
Iapetus was the Titan whose sons shaped humanity's relationship with the gods more than any other divine family.
Menoetius
🏔 titanTitan of violent anger and rash action
A Titan struck down by Zeus for his hubris and violent temper during the war between Titans and Olympians.
Kronos
🏔 titanTitan king of the Golden Age
The king of the Titans who ruled during the Golden Age and devoured his children to prevent prophecy of his overthrow.
Atlas
🏔 titanTitan condemned to hold the sky
The Titan condemned to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders at the western edge of the world for eternity.
Perses
🏔 titanTitan of destruction
Perses was the Titan of destruction and ravaging — father of Hecate, the great goddess of crossroads and magic.
Atlas
🏔 titanTitan condemned to hold up the sky
The Titan who was condemned to hold the celestial sphere on his shoulders for eternity. His name became synonymous with endurance and with books of maps.