February 4: International Day of Human Fraternity

Prometheus, the Philanthropist

After the Titan and Giant wars, the dominance of the Olympian gods was well and truly established. But there was nothing to reign over, because the earth was destroyed and desolate. So Zeus and his nephew Prometheus made little figurines of clay in all colours to serve as subjects. Unfortunately, most of them didn’t survive the baking process, so they were left with puppets in shades of white, yellow and brown. Athena blew life into them, and it was satisfying to see how well they did, those little men, working together to build shelters and hunt for food. Zeus even felt a little threatened by their quick development. So he ruled that at least, they should never have the use of fire. Prometheus went behind his back and was gruesomely punished, gaining him the title of “philanthropos”, meaning “caring for humanity”. Well deserved of course, but a little sad for women like Iphigenia, Alkestis or Polyxena, who also endured suffering and brought the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. No title for them.

Creation of Mankind, bas-relief, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France