Prometheus at The Louvre, Paris

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Prometheus, meaning "forethought," was a Titan in Greek mythology who brought fire to humanity. He allied himself with Zeus and the rising Olympian gods against Cronus and the other Titans in the epic struggle between the two cosmic forces. Prometheus' allegiance earned him a place on the victorious side of the titanic war known as the Titanomachy, where Zeus and his Olympian followers ultimately defeated Cronus and the other Titans. Ancient myths and legends recount multiple versions of the narratives that describe Prometheus, his exploits with Zeus, and his eternal punishment at the hands of Zeus. There are several accounts of his origin, but most significant is Hesiod's version in "Theogony," which portrays Prometheus as the son of Iapetus and Clymene, an Oceanid. According to Hesiod, Prometheus was a lowly challenger to Zeus' omnipotence who tricked him into claiming the unpalatable parts of cows and bulls for sacrificial ceremonies, while reserving the nourishing parts for humanity's eternal benefit. Hesiod also wrote about Prometheus' theft of fire from Olympus against Zeus' will, as well as his subsequent punishment at Zeus' hands. However, pre-Athenian ancient sources were selective in which narrative elements they chose to honor and support, often excluding others that did not align with their purposes. The specific combinations of these narrative elements by individual authors like Hesiod, Homer, Pindar, and Pythagoras were influenced by the needs and goals of the larger myths they depicted. A marble sculpture by James Pradia, dated 1827, captures the image of Prometheus enduring eternal torment. Chained to a rock atop a mountain, he is tormented by an eagle that eats his liver from his stomach. As an immortal being, Prometheus suffers this agonizing punishment for eternity.