An offal story

The first thing Prometheus did after he stole fire from the gods was to cook meat for everyone on Earth. He then tricked Zeus who had demanded his fair share of all meats consumed by offering him only offal. Retaliation came swiftly: Prometheus was bound to a rock and an eagle (Zeus’ sacred bird and emblem) was sent to pick Prometheus’ liver. The whole Promethean myth seems taken out of a butcher’s dream. In a way, it is, as meat, food, livelihood, survival have always been humanity’s ultimate concern. And the oldest myths represent mankind’s oldest and most immutable interests. Achilles may disagree with his Greek companions, but he always invites them in for a full rack of ribs.