This story begins with Prometheus preparing a feast for a group of mortals and some of the Gods. An Ox had been butchered and was served up in portions for everyone. Slyly Prometheus had served up a portion for Zeus that consisted of bones cleverly concealed in fat. Zeus, aware of Prometheus’ trickery, said "Son of Iapetus, you are surely the cleverest man now alive, but haven’t you split the portions as unequally as can be?" Prometheus answered, "O Zeus, the noblest and greatest of all the eternal gods, pick whichever your heart may desire" (Powell 113).

Zeus was so angry about what had happened that he punished the mortals, since they meant very much to Prometheus. After Zeus was finished punishing the mortals he turned to Prometheus. Prometheus was sent to the Caucasus Mountains and bound to a pillar. Every day a long-winged eagle would come to visit Prometheus. The eagle would gnaw his liver. Prometheus, being a Titan, was immortal and could not die. Each night his liver would rejuvenate and he would suffer the same agony over and over (Powell 115).

Finally, after thirty years of suffering (maybe 30,000) Prometheus was freed by Heracles (Larousse). Heracles was on the eleventh of his twelve labors in search of the Apples of Hesperides. These apples grew on a magical tree with golden bark and golden leaves. A hundred-headed serpent was placed near the tree to guard the golden apples. Heracles, while still on his journey, passed by Prometheus who was still bound to the Caucasus and killed the eagle that had tormented Prometheus for so long. Some say that Zeus permitted this to happen in order to bring glory to his famous son.

Others claim that Prometheus had a secret that Zeus desperately wanted to know and Zeus allowed Heracles to free Prometheus in exchange for the secret. Powell suggests that Prometheus gave Heracles valuable information about retrieving the apples, a task that was very dangerous for even someone like Heracles (416). Prometheus advised Heracles not to pick the apples but to send Atlas, who was Prometheus’s brother (Tripp 500).

Atlas was able to retrieve the apples for Heracles and Heracles was able to complete his twelve labors. Prometheus was finally freed, although he still had to wear a chain with part of the Caucasus rock to remind him of his wrongdoing toward Zeus.

Web sites:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/3803/Prom.html
http://phd.evansville.edu/tods/char/heracles.html
http://phd.evansville.edu/tods/char/promethe.html