Prometheus Bound

In the wild and remote region of Scythia, Prometheus is brought to the site of his punishment. Prometheus is one of the pre-Olympian gods called the Titans, and he’s angered Zeus - who has only recently taken over Mount Olympus - by teaching the humans how to make fire. Zeus’ servants, Kratos (the embodiment of strength) and Bia (the embodiment of violence), bring Prometheus to a craggy mountain top, and force Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking, to forge a chain of supernatural strength to lash Prometheus to the mountain, where he will spend eternity with an open wound in his abdomen, through which an eagle will eat his constantly regenerating liver. Hephaestus is reluctant; he shares Prometheus’ sympathy for humans, and doesn’t believe in doing harm to his fellow gods. However, fearing Zeus’ wrath if he disobeys, he binds Prometheus to the rock.

After his captors leave, Prometheus is visited by a chorus of Oceanides. These nymphs try to comfort Prometheus. Prometheus declares