Greek Myth #1-Prometheus Gives Man Fire

I thought it would be a good idea to add a Greek myth every once in a while. They are highly imaginative and, in additon to teaching a constructive lesson, they reflected ancient ideas of how the gods acted, how we were created, how the earth was formed, etc.

Zeus had Prometheus create humankind from mud and water. Man's existence was harsh and brutal since it had no protection from the beasts which Prometheus's brother had created. It was especially dangerous at night since man had no source of light.

Feeling sorry for them Prometheus stole fire from heaven and gave it to man. It allowed him to cook his food and have light at night for protection. Zeus was furious when he found what Prometheus had done. He chained him to Mount Caucasus where an eagle ate his liver. The liver would grow back and the eagle would eat the new one.

This was a constant source of torture for Prometheus until, according to another myth, he was freed by Hercules.

Source: Bullfinch's Mythology, edited by Richard Martin