The usual view is that it signifies "forethought", as that of his brother Epimetheus denotes "afterthought". The etymology of the theonym prometheus is debated. In particular, he was regarded in the Romantic era as embodying the lone genius whose efforts to improve human existence could also result in tragedy: Mary Shelley, for instance, gave The Modern Prometheus as the subtitle to her novel Frankenstein (1818). In the Western classical tradition, Prometheus became a figure who represented human striving (particularly the quest for scientific knowledge) and the risk of overreaching or unintended consequences. He was a focus of religious activity mainly at Athens, where he was linked to Athena and Hephaestus, who were the Greek deities of creative skills and technology. Evidence of a cult to Prometheus himself is not widespread. In another myth, Prometheus establishes the form of animal sacrifice practiced in ancient Greek religion.
In yet more symbolism, the struggle of Prometheus is located by some at Mount Elbrus or at Mount Kazbek, two volcanic promontories in the Caucasus Mountains beyond which for the ancient Greeks lay the realm of the barbarii. According to several major versions of the myth, most notably that of Hesiod, Prometheus was eventually freed by the hero Heracles. His liver would then grow back overnight, only to be eaten again the next day in an ongoing cycle. Prometheus was bound to a rock, and an eagle-the emblem of Zeus-was sent to eat his liver (in ancient Greece, the liver was thought to be the seat of human emotions). Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, condemned Prometheus to eternal torment for his transgression. The punishment of Prometheus for stealing fire from Olympus and giving it to humans is a subject of both ancient and modern culture. He is sometimes presented as the father of Deucalion, the hero of the flood story. Prometheus is known for his intelligence and for being a champion of mankind, and is also generally seen as the author of the human arts and sciences. In some versions of the myth, he is also credited with the creation of humanity from clay. Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by stealing fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge, and more generally, civilization.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus ( / p r ə ˈ m iː θ i ə s/ Ancient Greek: Προμηθεύς,, possibly meaning " forethought") is sometimes referred to as the God of Fire.
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