Prometheus und Epimetheus

work by Spitteler

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Carl Spitteler's Prometheus und Epimetheus is a mythical epic poem. The work draws from Greek mythology, featuring Prometheus, a Titan known as the "Forethinker" and a trickster god associated with fire and the creation of mortals.1

In the myths, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to humanity and taught them civilization's arts. As punishment for his defiance of Zeus, he was chained to a rock where an eagle ate his liver daily. Epimetheus, whose name means "Hindsight," was Prometheus's brother, who, despite warnings, married Pandora, the woman created by Zeus whose opened jar released evils upon humankind. Spitteler's poem explores these themes of creation, defiance, and suffering.123

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Carl Spitteler
…work was the mythical epic Prometheus und Epimetheus (1881). His second great work (which won him the Nobel Prize) was the poetic epic Der olympische Frühling (1900–05; revised 1910; “The Olympic Spring”), in which he found full scope for bold invention and vividly expressive power. The last years of his…
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…work was the mythical epic Prometheus und Epimetheus (1881). His second great work (which won him the Nobel Prize) was the poetic epic Der olympische Frühling (1900–05; revised 1910; “The Olympic Spring”), in which he found full scope for bold invention and vividly expressive power. The last years of his…
Read More