Prometheus Desmotes (traditionally known as Prometheus Bound) is now generally accepted as not being a work of Aeschylus. Prometheus Luomenos (Prometheus Unbound - re-imagined by Shelley, of course) was known to Cicero, who, like Strabo (who also preserves a sizable chunk), never doubted the play was by Aeschylus. It seems improbable that Aeschylus wrote a sequel to someone else's play - therefore he presumably did write a Prometheus Bound, just not this one! The existence of a third play, and a fourth with Prometheus in the title has caused further confusion: Prometheus Pyrkaios (Prometheus the Fire-raiser) is now assumed to have been the satyr-play for a different tetralogy (the one containing The Persians), which leaves Prometheus Pyrphoros ((bringer of Fire). Hardly any fragments exist. From the title some think it was the first play, though some favour the third. I've decided - with no evidence - that it was the fourth, the satyr-play. To me there is an obvious gap between Desmotes, presumed to be the first, and the obvious sequel Luomenos: we go straight from Prometheus sent to Tartaros to Prometheus visited by Titans already freed by - presumably - a reformed Zeus. Thus omitting the most vital part of the theme - the evolution of Zeus from rapist and tryrant to the protector of mankind, reconciled with Prometheus and sufficiently generous to save him from Tartaros!

The rape and deception of Alcmena, and the consequent birth of Heracles, Prometheus' fated deliverer, give an opportunity to examine Zeus' point of view - and the downside to Prometheus' unconditional love for mankind. I've therefore inserted a play called Alcmena between the two Prometheus plays, to create a satisfying trilogy: 1 - Prometheus punished for saving mankind. Zeus the rapist unpunished. 2 Prometheus allowed mankind to wreck the gods' plans for the world. Zeus the raoist will be punished. 3 Prometheus freed by Heracles checks the career of Zeus the rapist, forcing him to reform, and be reconciled with him, ensuring that mankind will have an opportunity to evolve, through the gift of Justice.

And 4 celebration! Prometheus' theft of fire replayed as comedy.