Prometheus is important in the Greek legend about the creation of humans. According to the story, when it came time to put living creatures on Earth, Zeus, the chief god, gave the task to Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus. Epimetheus made the animals first. He gave them all the best qualities, such as strength, speed, and cleverness. He also protected them with fur, feathers, and shells. As he began to create people, Epimetheus realized he had given the greatest gifts to the animals. He asked his brother Prometheus for help. Prometheus decided that people should stand upright like the gods. Prometheus then stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans.

Zeus saw what Prometheus had done and became angry. He tied Prometheus to a rock. Every day an eagle ate Prometheus' liver, and every night he grew a new one for the bird to eat the next day. Prometheus was eventually freed by the great hero Hercules. Zeus punished Epimetheus by sending him Pandora, the first woman. Despite Prometheus' warnings, Epimetheus married Pandora. She opened a forbidden jar and all the troubles and ills of the world flew out.