In the epic drama Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus, (c. 525-456 BC), recounts a mythical conflict: Prometheus, a Titan, and protector of mankind, steals fire from Mount Olympus and bestows it upon man. For this, Zeus inflicts a cruel punishment. He chains Prometheus to the summit of Mount Caucasus, where each day an eagle comes to peck at his liver. Prometheus, writhing and straining every muscle, screams in agony for all time.
Inspired by Prometheus's spirit, Aeschylus reaches beyond the myth to create one of literature's most gripping portrayals. How Prometheus clings to his convictions and braves his harsh fate give Prometheus Bound its extraordinary vitality and appeal. For over 2,000 years, this dramatic masterwork has held audiences enthralled.
AESCHYLUS, first of the great Grecian tragedians, was born at Eleusis, in 525 B.C. He was the son of Euphorion, a wealthy vineyard owner. The poet's early employment was to watch over the grapes and protect them from the ravages of men and other animals. It is said that this occupation led to the development of his dramatic genius.
