A myth is defined as being a traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural being, ancestors, or hereos that serves as a fundamental type in the world view of people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, cutoms, or ideals of society. Myths can be about anything and can be used to explain a variety of ideas. The myth of Prometheus is a rather important one in the Greek and Roman cultures.
The main characters of this myth are Prometheus and Epimetheus. Prometheus is a titan who is known for stealing the Olympian fire for man. Prometheus is also the cousin of Zeus and the brother of Epimetheus. Prometheus's outstanding characteristic is his love and frienship of mankind whom he helped create and always protects.
The titan brothers were granted a task of creating man and animals, as well as giving both the characteristics they would need to survive in the world. Prometheus, being the lazy titan he was, did not help in the creation of the animals and man, nor the assgnment of handing out qualities. After Epimetheus gave some animals claws, some wings and others shells, he was left with nothing to give to man. With no trait to deal to man, he turned to Prometheus for help, who in turn asked help from Minerva. After Minerva agreed to help, both she and Prometheus went to heaven in search of something for man. When they reached heaven, they decided to light a torch from the chariot of the sun. The fire given to man allowed them to rule and become supreme creatures on earth. After this had been done, it is said that a woman was created and Pandora was sent to punish mankind. Also, Promtheus was punished for stealing the fire from heaven and was sentenced to be chanined in a cave in Caucasus. .
This myth was told for the sole purpose of explaining how man was created and was not told, like many other myths, to entertain. This myth does not try to point out a certain lesson, but it does show that if you commit a crime like stealing, there are consequences to be paid.
