Prometheus pitied them. He explained to them the rising and setting of the stars and taught them how to recognize their orbits. He computed for them their numbers, a marvellous feat, gave them the power of recollection and the gift of writing, that highest of the sciences. He made the ox a useful servant to the race by placing the yoke upon it and harnessing it to the cart. He bridled the wild horse and showed them how to use it for riding and drawing the wagon. They also learned from him how to build vessels and manage sails. He disclosed the depths of the earth to them with its treasures of iron, silver, and gold. Up to this time, men had no knowledge of plants or their healing qualities. Prometheus taught them how to avail themselves of this knowledge so as to relieve pain and cure disease. He also imparted to them a knowledge of what was transacted in the councils of the gods and taught them to observe the flight of the eagle.
One element of comfortable living, however, was lacking for mankind. It was fire. Prometheus resolved to bring it to them from heaven, but the ruler of the skies ordered him to desist. Watching his opportunity, Prometheus soared aloft, approached the chariot of the sun, and stuck a rod which he carried in his hand in its blazing wheels. Then descending like a falling star, he brought to men the blessing of the fire.
Hermes (Mercury), the swift messenger of the gods, saw this and at once brought the news to the god father, Zeus. The all-powerful one wrathfully directed Hermes: “Up, hasten to Hephaestus (Vulcan)[3] and say that the ruler of the gods needs his service.” Vulcan, god of fire, was also god of all the artificers who are engaged with fire. He was honored as the discoverer of all the implements of the chase, the house, the field, and war, and was also famous as the builder of the gold-gleaming dwellings of the gods. So great was his skill that he constructed bellows which could make the flame stronger or weaker, as he wished, as well as sumptuous couches which, at a sign from him, were placed in the assemblies of the gods for their use.
When Hephaestus appeared before the ruler of the skies, he was requested to make a maiden of gold. He set about the work at once and when Apollo, the next morning, mounted his flaming chariot to shed the heavenly light both upon gods and men, a splendid image was finished which in appearance, speed, and movement resembled a beautiful mortal. Zeus then ordered the other deities to adorn the maiden, who was called Pandora, most sumptuously. The celestial ones came at once bearing gifts. From Athene (Minerva) she received a girdle. The Horae (Hours) crowned her with flowers and the Graces adorned her with exquisite rings and bracelets. Mercury brought her a pernicious gift, that of flattery and unfaithfulness, which was to bring misfortune to men. Thus fitted out with deluding charms and seductive graces, Pandora was conducted to earth by the beautiful winged messenger. From Zeus she had received a golden box, which contained a multitude of evils dangerous to men, and from which they had suffered before Prometheus relieved them. Pandora offered it to him as a gift from Zeus. The watchful son of Titan, however, rejected the gift of the god. Thereupon Pandora offered it to Epimetheus, a brother of Prometheus. He was deluded, forgot his brother’s warning, and married the fascinating Pandora. The false one immediately opened the golden box and the multitude of evils from which Prometheus had saved mortals spread themselves abroad once more and men found themselves again plunged into the very miseries from which they had been saved by the son of the Titan. Thus it happened that the seductive charm of woman brought misery to mortals.[4]
Zeus again summoned Hephaestus and the two giants, Kratos and Bia, and said to them: “Seize Prometheus, conduct him to the limit of earth, and fasten him to one of the loftiest cliff walls of the Caucasus.” The giants undertook the task willingly, but not so Hephaestus, who had compassion for Prometheus. But at last he had to submit to the will of the ruler of gods and men. Prometheus was seized and taken to the desolate cliff. Reluctantly Hephaestus went to work to fasten the son of Titan with adamantine fetters to the cliff, while Kratos and Bia helped in the task.
“Noble Prometheus,” said Hephaestus, “it pains my soul to lend my skill to such a deed as this. What wretchedness awaits thee! Thousands of years must pass and no end to thy suffering! Never wilt thou have sight of one human being to comfort thee. The strength of thy limbs will wane in the heat of the sun and longingly thou wilt yearn for the star-sown night to cover thee with its mantle and bring coolness to thy burning wounds.”
Thereupon Hephaestus and the two servants of Zeus left the fettered one, who cried out: “Thou sacred sky! Ye swift-winged winds! Thou billowy thundering ocean! Earth, thou all-giver! Sun, thou all-seer, I cry to you. Behold the fate which has overtaken me, a deity. By the decree of the ruler of all I must endure constant bitter pain a thousand years. But I will submit to the decree, knowing that the power of fate is irresistible.”
His groans were heard by the winged Oceanides in the crystalline grotto of their father, Oceanus.[5] They hurried to him and when they witnessed the fate of the son of Titan, they filled the air with lamentation. Sorrowfully they turned away. Soon appeared their father, the gray Oceanus, upon his winged sea horse, inquiring what Prometheus had done that he should be exposed to such a dreadful penalty. When he was told, he promised Prometheus to entreat mercy from Zeus. But Prometheus admonished him, saying: “Well I know you have always been my friend, worthy Oceanus, but I pray you do not appeal to Zeus for me. It would avail me nothing and only prejudice Zeus against you.”
Concealing his deep grief in his heart, Oceanus left the tortured one.
A long time passed. Zeus, believing that the Titan’s obstinate spirit had been broken, sent his winged messenger, Hermes, to him, who said: “Zeus desires to know what you heard from your brother about that marriage which, if he enters into it, will some time precipitate his ruin. You know it and have found how severely he punishes the theft of the fire. So anger him no longer, but tell him what he wishes to know.”