Prometheus and the Theft of Fire

The Story

Prometheus belonged to the older Titan generation, but his relationship with Zeus was very different from that of the defeated enemies of Olympus.

He became closely associated with humanity.

A dispute between Zeus and Prometheus concerned the proper relationship between mortals and gods. At a sacrificial division at Mecone, Prometheus prepared an ox in two portions.

In one pile he concealed the edible meat beneath the unattractive stomach of the animal. In the other he covered bones with shining fat, making the useless portion appear desirable.

Zeus chose the portion of bones and fat.

The story explained aspects of Greek animal sacrifice, in which portions were burned for the gods while humans consumed much of the meat.

Conflict continued.

Zeus withheld fire from humanity, but Prometheus refused to accept the punishment.

He stole fire and carried it back to mortals, famously concealing it in a fennel stalk.

Fire transformed human existence. It made cooking, heating and many crafts possible and became a symbol of the technical knowledge that separated human civilisation from a purely animal existence.

Zeus responded harshly.

Prometheus was bound and subjected to prolonged torment. An eagle came repeatedly to consume his liver, which regenerated because Prometheus was immortal.

His punishment continued until Heracles eventually killed the eagle and released him in a later tradition.

But Zeus' response was not directed only at Prometheus.

Humanity itself would receive another gift from the gods — one whose consequences would be far more ambiguous.

Her name was Pandora.