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According to Greek mythology Prometheus is known of as the Father of the Human Race. In the story it is stated that in the beginning the Titans lived on earth, with only the animals. According to legend Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus were making people from the clay of the earth. Proud of his creations Prometheus showed the clay figures to Zeus. Zeus liked the figures so much that he breathed life into them. Realizing his folly he decreed that man would be no more than the barbarians that he had help to create and order Prometheus not to interfere with the humans. Because of his part in their creation Prometheus is known as the protector of man. He had a fondness for these small creatures and though he was ordered not to become involved with them he defied Zeus saying that the gods had lost their heart. Prometheus watched over mankind and gave them a number of gifts including fire. The fire which he gifted to man was the ceremonial fire which he stole from Zeus.

Prometheus also tricked Zeus into allowing man to keep the meat of the animals sacrificed to the Gods and to give only the bones as an offering to the Gods. He did this by telling the humans to make two bags for sacrifice. One would contain mostly bones and skin with some meat at the top of the bag and the other would contain the meat with the internal organs at the top. When Zeus called for his sacrifice the people told him he could choose which bag he wanted. He chose the bag with the meat on top, but when he found out he was tricked he became angry and punished the humans by taking fire from them. The human's were cold and hungry because they didn't have fire to prepare their food. Feeling sorry for the humans Prometheus stole the fire from Zeus.

Prometheus was considered the wisest of the Titans, and the son of Iapetus, cousin to Zeus and Hera. His name means "forethought" and he was able to foretell the future. In fact he was later punished by Zeus because he would not reveal the prophecy that one of Zeus's sons would over throw him as leader of the Titans .

For his failure to reveal all he knew about the prophecy and the son who would betray him, Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to a rock as an eagle ate his liver. Because he was an immortal each day his liver would grow back, thus the punishment would be repeated for all eternity. Eventually Hercules, son of Zeus killed the eagle and set Prometheus free.

Prometheus is thought to be one of the most interesting characters in Greek Mythology, because of his compassion and his protective nature toward the humans he helped create.

references:
Myth Web
Greek Mythology.com
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

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