Greek god
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- World History Encyclopedia - Prometheus
- Greek Legends and Myths - The Titan Prometheus in Greek Mythology
- Theoi - Prometheus
- UEN Digital Press with Pressbooks - Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology - Prometheus
- Perseus Digital Library - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology - Prometheus
- Ancient Origins - Prometheus: The Creator of Mankind Who Stole Fire from the Gods
- National Museums Liverpool - Prometheus: Stealing Fire from the Gods
- Greek Gods and Goddesses - Prometheus – The Titan God of Fire
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- Prometheus - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Prometheus - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- World History Encyclopedia - Prometheus
- Greek Legends and Myths - The Titan Prometheus in Greek Mythology
- Theoi - Prometheus
- UEN Digital Press with Pressbooks - Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology - Prometheus
- Perseus Digital Library - A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology - Prometheus
- Ancient Origins - Prometheus: The Creator of Mankind Who Stole Fire from the Gods
- National Museums Liverpool - Prometheus: Stealing Fire from the Gods
- Greek Gods and Goddesses - Prometheus – The Titan God of Fire
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- Prometheus - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Prometheus - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: •Article History
- On the Web:
- UEN Digital Press with Pressbooks - Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology - Prometheus (June 18, 2024)
See all related content →
Top Questions
Who is Prometheus?
Who is Prometheus?
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. In common belief, he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection, he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker.
Why did Zeus punish Prometheus?
Why did Zeus punish Prometheus?
Zeus, the chief god, who had been tricked by Prometheus into accepting the bones and fat of sacrifice instead of the meat, hid fire from mortals. Prometheus, however, stole it and returned it to Earth once again.
How did Zeus punish Prometheus?
How did Zeus punish Prometheus?
According to one tale told by Hesiod, Zeus avenged himself on Prometheus by having him nailed to a mountain in the Caucasus and then sent an eagle to eat his immortal liver, which constantly replenished itself.
How is Prometheus depicted in Prometheus Bound?
How is Prometheus depicted in Prometheus Bound?
Aeschylus in Prometheus Bound depicts Prometheus as not only the bringer of fire and civilization to mortals but also their preserver, giving them all the arts and sciences as well as the means of survival.
Prometheus, in Greek religion, one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker. In common belief he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals.
The Greek poet Hesiod related two principal legends concerning Prometheus. The first is that Zeus, the chief god, who had been tricked by Prometheus into accepting the bones and fat of sacrifice instead of the meat, hid fire from mortals. Prometheus, however, stole it and returned it to Earth once again. As the price of fire, and as punishment for humankind in general, Zeus created the woman Pandora and sent her down to Epimetheus (Hindsight), who, though warned by Prometheus, married her. Pandora took the great lid off the jar she carried, and evils, hard work, and disease flew out to plague humanity. Hope alone remained within.
Britannica QuizFrom Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek MythologyHesiod relates in his other tale that, as vengeance on Prometheus, Zeus had him nailed to a mountain in the Caucasus and sent an eagle to eat his immortal liver, which constantly replenished itself; Prometheus was depicted in Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, who made him not only the bringer of fire and civilization to mortals but also their preserver, giving them all the arts and sciences as well as the means of survival.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.