Prometheus
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.
The Myth of Prometheus
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
Deucalion
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. 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 champion of humanity
The Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, suffering eternal punishment for the gift.
Prometheus
🏔 titanpunishment
Titan who stole fire from the gods for humanity and was chained to a mountain where an eagle ate his liver daily.
Epimetheus
🏔 titanTitan of afterthought
Epimetheus was Prometheus's dim-witted brother whose name means "afterthought" — he accepted Pandora despite his brother's warnings, unleashing all evils upon humanity.
Epimetheus
🏔 titanTitan who accepted Pandora
The Titan whose name means afterthought — he accepted Pandora despite his brother's warning, unleashing suffering.
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.
Menoetius
🏔 titanHubris, Recklessness
A second-generation Titan struck down by Zeus for his violent pride during the war between gods and Titans.
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.
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.
Coeus
🏔 titanTitan of intellect
Coeus was the Titan of rational intelligence and the celestial axis — grandfather of Apollo and Artemis through his daughter Leto.
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.
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.