Prometheus and the Gift of Fire
Epimetheus did such a good job of distributing gifts that by the time he was finished with his task, all the gifts of protection had been given out. But Epimetheus had forgotten humanity. There was nothing left to give man for his protection.
Prometheus decided that man also needed a gift of protection, one that went beyond the others — and that gift was fire. But Zeus, ruler of the gods, was angry with humankind and refused to share fire with them. Prometheus was adamant, however, and decided to steal fire from the heavens.
According to one account, he stole fire from the forge of Hephaestus, the smith of the gods. Another account states that he stole the fire from the wheels of the chariot of Helios (the sun) and hid it in the stalk of a fennel plant. However he stole it, Prometheus then gave the gift of fire to mankind.
Besides the gift of fire, Prometheus aided mankind in several other ways. For example, he taught them how to plant seeds and harvest crops, how to domesticate animals such as horses and goats, and how to use herbs and other plants as medicine.
One night, Zeus looked down upon Earth and saw it shining with firelight, and his fury shook the heavens. He ordered his servants to seize Prometheus and chain him to a rock, far from his beloved humans. Zeus then sent an eagle to devour Prometheus's liver. Because Prometheus was immortal, his liver grew back each night, and each day the eagle returned to torment him again. Zeus vowed never to release Prometheus from his punishment.
