I sec. a.C.
DIODORO SICULO, Biblioteca, I, 19, 1-4; IV, 15, 2; V, 67, 2
Testo tratto da: Diodoro Siculo, Biblioteca, with an english translation by Oldfather C. H., The Loeb classical library, Cambridge-London 1935
I, 19, 1-4
While Osiris and his army were thus employed, the Nile, they say, at the time of the rising of Sirius, which is the season when the river is usually at flood, breaking out of its banks inundated a large section of Egypt and covered especially that part where Prometheus was governor; and since pratically everything in this district was destroyed, Prometheus was so grieved that he was on the point of quitting life wilfully. Because its water sweeps down so swiftly and with such violence the river was given the name Aëtus; but Heracles, being ever intent upon great enterprises and eager for the reputation of a manly spirit, speedily stopped the flood at its breach and turned the river back into its former course. Consequently certain of the Greek poets worked the incident into a myth, to the effect that Heracles had killed the eagle which was devouring the liver of Prometheus. The river in the earliest period bore the name Oceanê, which in Greek is Oceanus; then because of this flood, they say, it was called Aëtus, and still later it was known as Aegyptus after a former king of the land.
IV, 15, 2
And Zeus, when Prometheus had taken fire and given it to men, put him in chains and set an eagle at his side which devoured his liver. But when Heracles saw him suffering such punishment because of his benefit which he had conferred upon men, he killed the eagle, with an arrow, and then persuading Zeus to cease from his anger he rescued him who had been the benefactor of all.
V, 67, 2
And to Iapetus was born Prometheus, of whom tradition tell us, as some writers of myths record, that he stole fire from the gods and gave it to mankind, though the truth us that he was the discoverer of those things which give forth fire and from which it may be kindled.
