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Figures in the ancient sources
Iapetus in the ancient sources
5 passages from 3 ancient authors that tell of Iapetus, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Iapetus was a Titan, son of Uranus and Gaea, and father of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. His name derives from the Greek word meaning t... For the story in one place, read our article on Iapetus.
Hesiod (3)
- Hesiod, Theogony 505–534The sons of Iapetus: Atlas, Menoetius, Prometheus and Epimetheus (505-534)Iapetus and Clymene have four sons. Menoetius is struck down by Zeus for his arrogance, Atlas is made to hold up the sky, and the crafty Prometheus is bound, with an eagle sent to eat his liver, until Heracles kills it and frees him. Epimetheus, who took the first woman from Zeus, is introduced as a source of trouble for men.
- Hesiod, Theogony 535–569Prometheus' trick at Mecone and the theft of fire (535-569)At Mecone, when gods and men are settling their portions, Prometheus divides an ox, hiding the meat under the stomach and the bones under shining fat; Zeus, knowing the trick, chooses the fat and bones. In anger Zeus withholds fire from men, and Prometheus steals it back in a fennel stalk.
- Hesiod, Works and Days 40–104Prometheus, fire and Pandora (40-104)The gods keep the means of life hidden from men, and Zeus hides fire because Prometheus deceived him; Prometheus steals it back in a fennel-stalk. As the price for fire Zeus has Hephaestus mould a maiden, whom Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes and the Graces equip with skills, charm and a deceitful nature. She is named Pandora and sent to Epimetheus, who accepts her despite Prometheus's warning, and she lifts the lid of the jar and scatters evils among men, while Hope alone stays inside.
Diodorus Siculus (1)
- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.64.1–5.67.5Early Crete: the Dactyls, the Curetes and the TitansThe Cretans claim that the Eteocretans were native to the island, and that the Idaean Dactyls discovered fire and the working of metals. They tell of the Curetes and of the Titans near Cnosus under Cronus' rule, whose age is described with lines of Hesiod, and of Hyperion's observation of the heavens.
Hyginus (1)
- Hyginus, Fabulae 0The genealogical prefaceHyginus opens with lists of the first gods and their offspring: Chaos, Night, the Titans, the Giants, the Nereids and the children of Zeus and the other Olympians. The names are given almost without narrative, and many are corrupt in the manuscript.
