In Greek mythology, Prometheus was punished by Zeus with an eagle eating his liver each day.
Prometheus is associated with the theft of fire and with helping humanity. Zeus punished him by binding him to a rock, where an eagle repeatedly consumed his liver. Because the liver was believed to regenerate, the torment renewed itself and became effectively endless until Heracles eventually rescued him.
This punishment belongs to the wider Prometheus cycle that includes Pandora’s creation. Zeus sends Pandora as a separate punishment connected to Prometheus’s actions, while Prometheus himself suffers the chained-and-eagle ordeal.
Ancient versions differ in details, including the location and timing of the punishment. The recurring liver episode, however, is the best-known form. It should not be confused with the separate myth of Atlas, who was condemned to hold up the sky.