Prometheus

Prometheus

Prometheus, the Titan of Greek mythology, was considered to be the most important Titan ever in all the myths. He helped the human race tremendously in his efforts to sustain an easier lifestyle. Mankind had great respect for him because of his advantages and gifts or abilities he gave them. Also, his battle against Zeus as a result of his love for man was very much appreciated. Prometheus was one of the most interesting Greek mythology figures in his time. He was a very kind, loving, generous, and courteous god to mankind. This can be seen through many events in his life including a particular myth that the reader will acknowledge in this research paper.

Prometheus' birth has two sides of stories behind the myth. Most people, in that time period, weren't sure who Prometheus' mother was. His father, on the other hand, was Iapetus, one of the Titans. One of Prometheus' mothers in the stories was Clymene, one of the Oceanids, and the other version has it that Asia, also one of the Oceanids, was Iapetus' spouse (Parada 4). Whatever the case was, Epimetheus was Prometheus' brother. Later in life, Prometheus would tell Epimetheus not to accept any gift from Zeus because of the vision he would get from his ability to before-hand tell the future. This Epimetheus would later ignore when he would marry Zeus' creation, Pandora (Parada 3).

There are also two stories or sides to his marriage or mate or spouse that Prometheus chose. Some say it was Pronoia, and some say it was Clymene (Parada 5). The Clymene mentioned is ironically the same Greek figure as mentioned in the myth about Prometheus' mother (Parada 4-5). However, the only version of his offspring or child of his own was Deucalion (Parada 5). Deucalion shared a common interest in the love of man during the Great Flood like his father had (Hunt 1; Parada 2). During the Great Flood of the lands of Greece, Deucalion would learn to recreate men by throwing rocks over his head as commanded by his wish granted from Zeus because of his accomplishment of surviving. This was a similar trait that would be shared by father-and-son.

Prometheus was especially known as the 'god of fire'. This was so because in one of the myths, Prometheus was said to have stolen the fire from Zeus. Later, Prometheus would pay for this. He was also considered to be a "supreme trickster", 'creator...

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...metheus' characteristics can be based from the knowledge, courtesy, and kindness he impacted on others of the human race. Even though the myth behind his birth is mysterious, that isn't what made him earn his place in society today. It was the traits given to this Greek mythological figure passed downed through ancient literature, stories, and other myths that really made his individuality what it is today. His faith in his creations was what made him the most important and respected Titan in Greek Mythology.

Bibliography/Works Cited

Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. "The Earliest Heroes: Prometheus and Io." Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1942. (95-99)

Hunt, J.M.. "Greek Mythology Stories Creation Man Prometheus." http://www.math.utk.edu/~vasili/GR_link/Greek_myth/creationMan.html. (1)

Parada, Carlos. "Deucalion 1, Greek Mythology Link." http://hsa.brown.edu/~maicar/Deucalion1.html. (1-3)

"Prometheus1, Greek Mythology Link." http://www.hsa.brown.edu/~maicar//Prometheus1.html. (1-5)

"Prometheus - Britannica.com." http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/2/0,5716,63092+1+61532,00.ht ml?query=prometheus3/22/01. (1)