Prometheus the Titan is often viewed as a benefactor and protector of mankind, the bringer of fire, the original teacher of technology and the useful arts to man, whatever the latter implies. His name means Forethought and signals the intellectual capacity this smart aleck possessed. These positive attributes beg the question: if he was so great, why would the head of the gods (Zeus) punish him by chaining him to a rock and having an eagle munch on his liver for all time?
During the War of the Titans (Titanomachy), he actually fought against the Titans for Zeus and the Olympians, but conflict soon brewed.
Prometheus' first crime was actually tricking Zeus into accepting the worst bits of a sacrificial feast. And, lo, did Zeus withhold fire from humankind. Deeming it unnecessary to follow Zeus' decrees, and more necessary to give humans fire, he stole it from Hephaestus (god of metalworking, et al). Zeus was again peeved, and first sent Pandora as a "gift" to lowly humans so that they would know woe, then chained Prometheus to a rock/some cliffs in the Caucasus Mountains.
Here the Aetos Kaukasios (Caucasian Eagle) swooped down to feast on his godly guts–his liver being the choicest bit–daily. Perhaps this is the reason that the sound of humanity's pain and woe, in the form of Prometheus' tortured screams, is said* to originate in the Caucasus.
This routine was disturbed by none other than Heracles/Hercules, who braved the dizzying heights and swirling snows of these remote mountains to kill the bird and hove a mighty blow that snapped the Titan's chains.
As a compromise, Zeus forced Prometheus to wear a link of the chain around his finger, into which a rock from the mount was set, as a reminder of his punishment and the grief he caused. Thus it is said that Prometheus was the first being to wear a ring, one bejeweled even.
Although arguments can be made that Prometheus' misery reflected Zeus' cruel and unusual punishment, it is time we saw things from Zeus' side.
–The Promethean gift of fire was not any old fire–that had been around forever and would have raised no eyebrows–it was stolen from Hephaestus, which meant it was the fire that enabled metals to be forged.
–With metals humans now had the ability to wage full-on, full-scale, terribly efficient and destructive wars, an ability humans showed little qualms making the best use of immediately. Not only did they craft weapons of mass destruction, they forged molds that ensured such weapons could be mass-produced.
–Zeus himself was a rebel, one who defeated his own father (who defeated his) and succeeded to kingship through violence. At the very least, this fact would have made him acutely aware of the dangers of arming anyone, much less a potential enemy.
–Untold myths and legend document the idea that human thought has been guided for the last 4,500-odd years by a desire to overtake territories, up to and including the home of the gods. One legend even described a king eager to "shoot his fiery arrows" at the sky. Our soldiers at parade rest are often found standing with weapons pointed skyward. Our churches and monuments, too, are barbed like spear tips and always jab heavenward. So, yeah, Zeus' fears were well-grounded–in foresight, coincidentally.
–Metal, the fire that produced it, and technology in general, have done wonders for the plowing of fields, the construction of bridges, buildings, and even roads, of drainage and irrigation canals, for waste management, for the fashioning of swords and blades, for the boring of barrels for muskets and pistols, for the building of rockets and missiles, and for exploits in general. Yet technology has contributed nothing to social capital and the other lubricants that make harmonious life on Earth possible.
Prometheus ring Є73.95
For those of you wondering why any of us should be concerned about such issues, please view the bright shiny object pictured above. Jewelry in general is an expression of vanity and status. In the ad for this piece, the makers declare that this ring is made for people who embody the spirit of Prometheus, which, they say, is reflected in "an unyielding drive to challenge the status quo," and is for people who "thrive in the duality of power and creativity."
For those unversed in history, I would put forth that such qualities were best exemplified by Adolf Hitler.
Other actual words from this ad:
The Prometheus represents foresight and innovation, embodying the legacy of the Titan known for bringing fire to humanity. This captivating ring symbolizes human perseverance, intellect, and the courage to defy conventions. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of knowledge and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
You'll notice that being a good father or mother, or being a good person does not make the grade. Neither does respecting boundaries. Humility...LOL. If we work for the money to buy objects such as these, if we make the efforts to garb ourselves in such things, what does it say about our priorities, and what will the crop of future humans raised by people with such priorities look like?
Further, what does it say about our arrogance if we assume that our positive impressions of this “hero” are more important than Zeus’ negative ones?
Finally, if all this is only my opinion, or represents ideas with no relevance to anyone other than me, why is this one of many Prometheus rings made by many jewelry companies?
Thanks much for another restack, Charlotte, it really means a lot. Anything to help my co-author's discoveries out to a wider audience.