Scribd
Upload
102 views

Prometheus Myths

This document discusses the myth of Prometheus and how it may relate to an actual volcanic eruption on Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains. The myth spread across different cultures in the region, with each adapting details to fit their society but keeping the core story of a titan defying the gods and being punished. The author argues that the common elements in the various myths match details of a volcanic eruption, and that Mount Elbrus was the source volcano described in the original myth told by the ancient Caucasus civilization.

Uploaded by

Dário Da Silva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
102 views

Prometheus Myths

This document discusses the myth of Prometheus and how it may relate to an actual volcanic eruption on Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains. The myth spread across different cultures in the region, with each adapting details to fit their society but keeping the core story of a titan defying the gods and being punished. The author argues that the common elements in the various myths match details of a volcanic eruption, and that Mount Elbrus was the source volcano described in the original myth told by the ancient Caucasus civilization.

Uploaded by

Dário Da Silva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Dário da Silva

Geomythology
Date: 03/09/2019
The Truth Behind Mt. Elbrus Eruption
According to the Greek Mythology, Prometheus was a titan who gained favor on the eyes
of Zeus for fighting on the gods side against other titans. The historical records explain that as a
gift for their alliance, Zeus gave Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus the privilege of creating
all living creatures. Epimetheus created the animals of the field each with unique abilities, some
could fly, other could swim and others could run fast. Prometheus on the other created humans,
he shaped his creation from mud in the image of the gods to be like gods. Zeus did not agree
with Prometheus vision for his creations and demanded that humans would worship the gods. As
a protest, Prometheus tricked Zeus using a sacrifice, saving the best parts of the animal for the
humans and giving the remaining bones and fat to the gods. As a punishment, Zeus prohibited
humans of using fire, condemning them to live in darkness. As another act to help his creation,
Prometheus climbed Mount Olympus to steal fire and give it back for humans. Prometheus act
infuriated Zeus who condemn him to spend eternity chained to a mountain and having his liver
eaten by a by day and regrown by night to be devoured again.

As curious and interesting as this myth might be, many historians believe that it is more
than a creative story. It is believed that the Prometheus myth carries some truthful accounts of
Mt Elbrus eruption. Mt Elbrus is a volcanic structure located on the mountains of the Caucasus
where according to Apollonius Rhodius (an ancient Greek author) was believed to be the
mountain where Zeus chained Prometheus. Furthermore, historical records from different
cultures present in the same region also show similarities with the Prometheus myth, enforcing
Apollonius idea. Could it be possible that the different cultures where describing the same myth?
Is it plausible to believe that those myths are in reality creative descriptions of a volcanic
eruption? Yes, and yes.
Besides the Prometheus tell, other myths such as the Nasren from the Nart Saga, Amirani
from the Georgian mythology, and Loki from the Norse mythology also portrait heroes being
chained to mountain as a punishment for something. Though I am unsure of the origin of the
original myth, I dare to speculate that the ancient Caucasus created a rough version of it. Later
on, with the use of analogies, the Greek civilization and the others developed their version of the
story. Despite its origins, it is clear that the story spread through the region and transformed itself
Dário da Silva
Geomythology
Date: 03/09/2019
as it got mixed with different cultural aspects. Notice that the common ground of all myths is “a
titan who defied the gods and got punished for it.” As it traveled from culture to culture, aspects
got transformed such as, name of hero, origin of hero or even reason for punishment. I believe
that the new details where added according to what was needed for the story to be kept alive at
each culture. For example, the Prometheus, Nasren, and Amirani, folklores depict them being
attacked by a giant bird while on the Loki one it’s a poisonous snake.

Since all the myths reflect the same story, the next question is; is the story being reflected
of a volcanic eruption? A good clue to answer this question is the fact that all accounts take place
on a mountain, coincidently the different cultures are located near the same mountainous region
(mountains of Caucasus). Furthermore, Mt Elbrus volcano is also located at the same region. My
theory is: the four cultures experienced the volcanic eruption at the same time but, the
association hero/mountain was made after the myth got spread from the Caucasus civilization.
As I explained before, the myths where adapted to fit societal patterns, in order to facilitate its
propagation.

Another aspect to support that both the myth and the eruption are the same is the
consistent preservation of important details, and their meaning. The eagles, the blood and
specially mountains are historically associated to volcanic eruptions. During geomythology class
it was discussed that it was common for ancient people to associate the unknown to the known
through creative analogy. For this reason, every major phenomenon observed in the clouds was
associated with big birds. Furthermore, the same principle is applicable to blood interpretation,
which in actuality could be the red colored lava flowing down the mountain. Finally, it was also
common to associate volcanos and big mountains because volcanoes are hill shaped, resembling
mountains.
Dário da Silva
Geomythology
Date: 03/09/2019
Reference

“APOLLONIUS RHODIUS 1.” ARGONAUTICA - Greek Mythology, Theoi Project,


www.theoi.com/Text/ApolloniusRhodius1.html.

You might also like