The origins of Prometheus remain obscure. Names ending in -eus are not usually Greek (Zeus is an exception), and are not likely Indo-European. The means by which Prometheus brings fire to humans -- stolen from the heavens (or from the forge of the fire-god Hephaistos) and carried to earth in a fennel stalk -- follows a Persian tradition, so some scholars have sought his origins (without much success) in a Persian fire-god.

Prometheus is a figure of the limin; he is a paradoxical outsider. He fought alongside the Olympians, but is a Titan. While Zeus and the Olympians are at best neutral toward men (according to Aeschylus Zeus intends to destroy humanity), Prometheus is sympathetic to their cause and helps by introducing elements of culture, including language and writing in addition to fire. Eventually, Prometheus pays a great price for his aid to man and his tricking of the gods.