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[[File:Prometheus, Atlas und Ethon.jpg|thumb|Prometheus with the eagle Ethon and Atlas (Laconian bowl, ca. 530 B.C.)]]
'''Prometheus''' ({{Greek|Προμηθεύς}}; acc. Latin and German ''Prométheus'', Gen. {{lang|grc|Προμηθέως}} ''Promēthéōs'' "the forward-thinking one", from the Greek prefix {{lang|grc|πρό-}} ''pro-'' "before, ahead, forward" and {{lang|grc|μέδομαι}} ''medomai'' "to think, to ponder", but also from {{lang|grc|μελέτη}} ''melete'' "exercise, practice") is in [[w:Greek mythology|Greek mythology]] a son of [[w:Iapetus|Iapetus]] and brother of [[Epimetheus]], as well as friend and cultural founder of [[mankind]]. He is often referred to as the creator of [[humans ]] and [[animal]]s, for example in [[w:Plato|Plato]] and [[w:Ovid|Ovid]]<ref>Cf. Ovid, ''[[Wikipedia:Metamorphoses (Ovid)|Metamorphoses]]'', 1, 78ff.</ref>. He, the bringer of fire and teacher of mankind, has much in common with [[w:Hephaestus|Hephaestus]], but also with [[Apollo]] and Athena. His epithets include ''Pyrphoros'' ("fire-bringer"), ''Iapetionides'' ("son of Iapetos") and ''Desmotes'' ("bound one").
'''Prometheus''' ({{Greek|Προμηθεύς}}; acc. Latin and German ''Prométheus'', Gen. {{lang|grc|Προμηθέως}} ''Promēthéōs'' "the forward-thinking one", from the Greek prefix {{lang|grc|πρό-}} ''pro-'' "before, ahead, forward" and {{lang|grc|μέδομαι}} ''medomai'' "to think, to ponder", but also from {{lang|grc|μελέτη}} ''melete'' "exercise, practice") is in [[w:Greek mythology|Greek mythology]] a son of [[w:Iapetus|Iapetus]] and brother of [[Epimetheus]], as well as friend and cultural founder of [[mankind]]. He is often referred to as the creator of [[humans ]] and [[animal]]s, for example in [[w:Plato|Plato]] and [[w:Ovid|Ovid]]<ref>Cf. Ovid, ''[[Wikipedia:Metamorphoses (Ovid)|Metamorphoses]]'', 1, 78ff.</ref>. He, the bringer of fire and teacher of mankind, has much in common with [[w:Hephaestus|Hephaestus]], but also with [[Apollo]] and Athena. His epithets include ''Pyrphoros'' ("fire-bringer"), ''Iapetionides'' ("son of Iapetos") and ''Desmotes'' ("bound one").



Revision as of 15:08, 15 June 2021

File:Prometheus, Atlas und Ethon.jpg
Prometheus with the eagle Ethon and Atlas (Laconian bowl, ca. 530 B.C.)

Prometheus (GreekΠρομηθεύς; acc. Latin and German Prométheus, Gen. Προμηθέως Promēthéōs "the forward-thinking one", from the Greek prefix πρό- pro- "before, ahead, forward" and μέδομαι medomai "to think, to ponder", but also from μελέτη melete "exercise, practice") is in Greek mythology a son of Iapetus and brother of Epimetheus, as well as friend and cultural founder of mankind. He is often referred to as the creator of humans and animals, for example in Plato and Ovid[1]. He, the bringer of fire and teacher of mankind, has much in common with Hephaestus, but also with Apollo and Athena. His epithets include Pyrphoros ("fire-bringer"), Iapetionides ("son of Iapetos") and Desmotes ("bound one").

In Athens there was an altar dedicated to him, which was decorated with torches during the festivities held in his honour, the Promethea. In addition, there was another sanctuary in Athens where he and the god Hephaistos were worshipped together.

The figure of Prometheus has been received in many ways in cultural history, for example by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The radioactive chemical element promethium with the atomic number 61, discovered in 1945 as a fission product of uranium, was named after him and was intended as a warning to mankind, which at that time began the nuclear arms race.

Literature

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.


References

  1. Cf. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 1, 78ff.