Prometheus

Lucian of Samosata

The Works of Lucian of Samosata, complete, with exceptions specified in thepreface, Vol. 1. Fowler, H. W. and Fowlere, F.G., translators. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1905.

To man, on the other hand, fire is indispensable for many purposes, particularly for those of sacrifice how else are they to fill their streets with the savour of burntofferings, and the fumes of frankincense? how else to burn fat thigh-pieces upon your altars? I observe that you take a

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particular pleasure in the steam arising therefrom, and think no feast more delicious than the smell of roast meat, as it mounts heavenwards
  • In eddying clouds of smoke,
  • Your present complaint, you see, is sadly at variance with this taste. I wonder you do not forbid the Sun to shine on mankind. He too is of fire, and fire of a purer and diviner quality. Has anything been said to Sim about his lavish expenditure of your property? And now I have done. If there is any flaw in my defence, it is for you two to refute me. I shall answer your objections in due course.