P is for Prometheus and Pandora

(Prometheus)

Prometheus - The Rebel Titan (Greek Mythology)

Prometheus (his name means Forethought) had stolen fire from Zeus (The throne of eternity) and given it to the mortals in their dark caves. The gift of divine fire unleashed a flood of inventiveness, productivity and, most of all, respect for the immortal gods in the rapidly developing mortals. Zeus was furious with Prometheus and arrested him. Zeus had Hephaistos (Hephaestus) shackle Prometheus to the side of a crag, high in the Caucasus mountains. There Prometheus would hang until the fury of Zeus subsided.
Each day, Prometheus would be tormented by Zeus’ eagle as it tore at his immortal flesh and tried to devour his liver. Each night, as the frost bit it’s way into his sleep, the torn flesh would mend so the eagle could begin anew at the first touch of Eos (the Dawn).

Why Modern Prometheus?

Modern Prometheus simply means a reference to the over-reaching of modern man into dangerous areas of knowledge.

Hubris, as denoted by over self-confidence and self pride, has led to the destruction of mankind. With knowledge, man attempt deforestation. Its effects have led to vast influences on livelihood, be it directly or indirectly. He challenges the natural life cycles in favour of his own benefits.

Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein (1818) is subtitled "The Modern Prometheus", for reasons obvious enough.

Pandora

Zeus gave Pandora to Ephemetheus (brother of Prometheus). Ephemetheus knew better than to trust Zeus and he had been warned by Prometheus never to accept gifts from the Olympians, especially Zeus. One look at Pandora and Ephemetheus was rendered helpless. He could not resist her, he accepted her willingly. When the gift was ‘opened’, evil and despair entered into this world. Mistrust and disease spread over the wide earth. After Pandora was emptied of her curse, only Hope was left inside. Unreasonable, groundless Hope that makes the curse of life into a blessing.