Prometheus Bound, written by Aeschylus, formed part of a trilogy, along with Prometheus Unbound and Prometheus the Fire - Bringer, which was first presented in 465B.C. Prometheus Bound, is the only play of the trilogy that its full text still survives as well as one of the noblest and most popular works of Aeschylus. Numerous poets, writers, directors and people of arts such as Goethe, Shelley, Lord Byron have been inspired by it and the central idea of the play - a god submitting of his own free will to torment in his effort to help mankind - has always stirred the soul of people all over the ages.

Synopsis
The mythological background of the trilogy is provided by Hesiod's Theogonia. Prometheus was a titan, the race of old Gods who reigned before Zeus and the Olympians. A wildly rich figure in mythology and literature, he gives mankind language, art, crafts, agriculture, and most importantly, fire.

The play opens in the beginning of a new era, when new Gods have replaced the old ones, inflicting a new order. Might and Violence enter, restraining Prometheus and Hephaestus, smith of the gods, reluctantly chains Prometheus to the rocks. The captors leave Prometheus alone, and the titan laments his fate. He knew his crime when he committed it, but the punishment is excessive and cruel.

The daughters of Oceanus have come to comfort Prometheus, and to hear the story of why and how Prometheus has come to be chained. Oceanus enters later, announcing his intent to go plead on Prometheus' behalf to Zeus. But Prometheus warns him that the plan will only bring Zeus's wrath down on Oceanus.

Prometheus explains to the daughters of Oceanus the reasons for his suffering. The "shin" that he committed and caused Zeus' wrath is that he helped people. The chained half-god tells them about the conflict between Zeus and his father Cronos. Zeus wanted to overrule Cronos and Prometheus, blessed with the gift of prophecy by his mother Thetis, knew what needed to win this battle. He initially took the part of Cronos but he failed to convince him of his plans and, trying to save himself, defected and joined Zeus. With Prometheus' help, Zeus and the Olympian Gods defeated Cronos and the old Gods and banished them to Tartarus.

But Zeus was a fierce ruler. Not only did he leave people without any help but he also planned to wipe out the entire human race. Prometheus stood up to Zeus and, trying to help people, stole the fire from him and gave it to people. He thus became a great benefactor of people and a teacher of all the crafts. For this insubordination, Zeus has Prometheus chained to a rock to suffer unspeakable torments.

When Io enters after a while, seeking advice from Prometheus, he reveals that he has knowledge crucial to Zeus's survival as ruler of the gods: one day, the king of the gods will make a marriage that will bring about his downfall. Zeus has heard of Prometheus' secret knowledge, and Hermes comes, under Zeus's orders, to threaten Prometheus with torture to reveal his secret. Prometheus defies Zeus and he is being tortured with fantastic and terrible pains that will not go away because Prometheus is a titan and therefore cannot die. Prometheus is dashed down finally into Tartarus with the daughters of Oceanos that remain by his side all the time.

Director's Note
In Prometheus Bound there are two elements that mark our version: sinking and anguish. A god - hero bound in the rock of solitude, alone, between the world of the throne that stands high and Tartarus that lies low. 

Prometheus is being punished for the presents he gave to people: fire, welfare, time, numbers, breeding horses, navigation, medicine, divination and working with metals: copper, iron, silver and gold.

But the progress of human species stops Zeus' plans to destroy people. Zeus is infuriated and as a result Prometheus is tragically confined. It is inevitable. Progress has always required somebody to be the vice and somebody to be the victim in a circular course in history. People owe their passing from nature to civilization, from raw to cooked food– this evolution of history - to the anguished immobility of the hero as well as to the pain that is caused by Zeus' eagle.

Sotiris Hatzakis
Athens, May 2007