What can we learn from the myth of Prometheus?

Look at the following sentences. Can you:

a. identify the nouns in the sentence?
b. determine whether they are examples of proper (P) or common nouns (C)

1. Zeus, king of the gods, ordered Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus to make living
creatures.
2. The next time Zeus looked down from Mount Olympus, he saw something glimmering
red and yellow under a column of grey smoke.

3. Although he was a god, he did not live on the top of Mount Olympus in halls of cloud
and sunlight, or on the earth among trees and fields.
Look at the following sentences. Can you:
a. identify the nouns in the sentence?
b. determine whether they are examples of proper (P) or common nouns (C)

1. Zeus, king of the gods, ordered Prometheus and his brother

Epimetheus to make living creatures.

2. Zeus looked down from Mount Olympus, he saw something

glimmering red and yellow under a column of grey smoke.

3. Although he was a god, he did not live on the top of Mount

Olympus in halls of cloud and sunlight, or on the earth among trees
and fields.
Prometheus is one of the most famous ancient myths, and a
character who suffers a terrible punishment as a result of his
actions.

However, his crime is on behalf of all humanity, so you could

argue he doesn’t deserve it.

Have you ever been punished unfairly, or suffered for

helping others?
Task: Look at this painting of the Prometheus myth by Theodoor Rombouts (16th century).

1. What do you think is happening here?

2. Does this look like punishment, torture or accident?
3. Do you notice any unusual details about the image?
Root words: ‘pro’ and ‘epi’

Pro – is the word forming element meaning ‘forward or towards the front’.

For example:
Proceed – move forward
Proclaim – announce
Provide – to give

Can you think of any other words that use ‘pro’?

Root words: ‘pro’ and ‘epi’
Epi – is the prefix which the Greeks used to mean ‘afterthought’ or ‘afterwards’.
For example:
Epilogue – story conclusion

It is also used to mean ‘over’ or ‘upon’.

For example:
Epicentre – the middle over which something happens
Epitaph – writing on a tomb following death

Can you think of any other words that use ‘epi’?

Key characters: Prometheus and
Epimetheus
Prometheus was a wily and intelligent
Titan who was tasked with the creation of
living creatures, including mankind. He
came up with the idea to acquire fire and
teach humans how to be resourceful and
self-sufficient – to be able to survive on
their own.
Task: How do the characters of Prometheus and Epimetheus relate to the characters of Albus
Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort?
Key characters: Prometheus and
Epimetheus
Epimetheus was Prometheus’ Titan brother:
he was a more foolish character who used up
all the gifts without thinking about the
consequences – he generated all the living
creatures, plus their interesting features, but
forgot about humans, leaving mankind naked
and vulnerable.
Read through the myth of ‘Prometheus and the
Creation of Mankind.’

Click here to watch the story of Prometheus.

Answer the following comprehension questions:

1. Which two elements did Prometheus create mankind using?

2. What was the earth like during this myth?
3. From whose image did Prometheus create man?
4. How did Epimetheus feel about his brothers’ powers and responsibility?
5. What job did Prometheus give Epimetheus?
6. What did Epimetheus forget to do?
7. What did Prometheus learn from the Gods?
8. What elements was he gifted from the Gods?
9. How did Zeus feel about Prometheus’ actions?
10. What was Prometheus’ punishment?

Challenge: What does this myth suggest about how Ancient Greeks view the Gods? Why?