Prometheus

in Greek mythology, was the son of the Titan Japetus and the Oceanid Clymene, full of wisdom, art, and might, a friend and companion of the gods, who loved him for his gifts, but in whom he awakened hatred when he doubted their omniscience. He once sought to prove Jupiter's knowledge, and the latter never forgot his audacity, but planned his destruction. Vulcan nailed him to the Caucasus, and the eagle of Jupiter daily came down and devoured his liver, which grew again at night. For a long time he bore these tortures with patience, for he knew a mortal would eventually liberate him. This Hercules did by shooting the eagle. According to others Chiron liberated him. A third myth makes Jupiter himself the liberator of the great Titan. Prometheus was married to Asia, and was the father of Deucalion. According to the ancient story, he provoked the gods by forming a man, and then stealing fire from heaven to animate the form.