Prometheus (Titan)
titanPrometheus 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.
The Myth
Prometheus means "forethought" — he could see what was coming. He sided with Zeus in the Titanomachy but later championed humans against Zeus's indifference. He stole fire, taught humanity the arts, and tricked Zeus at Mecone. For this, Zeus chained him to the Caucasus where an eagle ate his regenerating liver daily. Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound makes him a tragic hero who suffers for principle. Heracles eventually freed him.
Parents
Iapetus and Clymene
Children
Symbols
Fun Fact
The element promethium (Pm, atomic number 61) was named after this Titan who brought fire to humanity.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Deucalion
heroDeucalion survived Zeus's flood and repopulated the earth by throwing stones.
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Iapetus
titanIapetus was the Titan whose sons shaped humanity's relationship with the gods more than any other...
Prometheus
titanThe Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, earning eternal punishment....
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...