Who was Prometheus?

In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus was known as a cunning trickster. He was alleged to have given the human race the gift of fire from Mount Olympus and was duly punished by the God Zeus for his actions.

This punishment meant that an eagle ate the liver of the Prometheus as he was chained to a rock.

In some Greek mythological stories, it has been said that Prometheus made the first man from clay, and was given the task with Epimetheus, to endow man with gifts so that they might survive and prosper.

It is thought that Prometheus’ father was Iapetus and his mother Clymene, one of the Oceanids.

He had 3 brothers named Epimetheus (meaning afterthought or Hindsight), Menoetius and Atlas.

One of Prometheus’ sons was named Deucalion, and he is referred to as the ancient Noah, as he too survived a great flood when he sailed in a great chest for nine days and nights.

It is said the Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha, became the founders of the human race.

The tale of these founders were rumoured to be the inspiration behind director Ridley Scott’s 2012 science fiction film called ‘Prometheus’, which explores its own ideas and mythology about the evolution of the human race.

The film won several academy awards, including a BAFTA award for its Special Visual Effects, depicting its version of Prometheus’ story.

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