Prometheus and Epimetheus: Ancient Gods of Greek Mythology

03/12/2020

     Prometheus and Epimetheus, both Gods of Greek Mythology, were brothers and were related to the myth of Pandora's box. Prometheus itself was much better, check.

Prometheus in Greek Mythology:

     Prometheus, in Greek Mythology, is a titan (of the second generation), son of Iapetus (son of Uranus; an incest between Uranus and Gaia) and Atlas's brother, Epimetheus and Menoetius. Some sources cite their mother as Tethys, while others, such as Pseudo-Apollodore, point to East Asia, also called Clímene, daughter of Oceano. He was a defender of humanity, known for his cunning intelligence, responsible for stealing Hestia's fire and giving it to mortals. 

     Zeus, who feared that mortals would become as powerful as the gods themselves would then have punished him for this crime, leaving him tied to a rock for eternity while a great eagle ate his liver every day - which regenerated the next day. The myth was addressed by several ancient sources (among them two of the main Greek authors, Hesiod and Aeschylus), in which Prometheus is credited - or blamed - for having played a crucial role in human history.

"Cover your sky, Zeus, with a misty veil and, similar to the young man who likes to collect thistles, retire to the heights of the upright oak tree but let me enjoy the Earth, which is mine, as much as this hut I live in and which it is your work and also my fireplace that, when it burns, your flames brown me. You envy me!

Epimetheus in Greek Mythology:

     Epimetheus created the animals and gave them the attributes. When it reached the man, there was no longer any quality to give it. He asked for help from his brother Prometheus, who then stole the fire from the gods and offered it to men, also teaching him how to work with him.

     He was Pandora's husband, which in Greek means "the one who has all the gifts", a gift from Zeus to him. In fact, Zeus wanted to take revenge on Prometheus, Epimetheus and humanity, which possessed the fire that had been stolen from the heavens.

     Epimetheus was deceived by his wife, who opened a vase that he kept at the behest of his brother, Prometheus. She opens the box which contained all the evils that would come to make man's life in chaos, but quickly closes it, leaving only the evil of hope inside.

     After this disaster, Epimetheus and Pandora spawned Pirra, who later married Deucalião (son of Prometheus and survivor of the Flood).

     In his honor, the name of Epimetheus was given to one of the 56 known satellites on the planet Saturn.

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