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In Greek mythology, Iapetus , also Japetus ( ''Iapetos''),〔Of uncertain etymology; R. S. P. Beekes has suggested a Pre-Greek origin (''Etymological Dictionary of Greek'', Brill, 2009, pp. 573–4).〕 was a Titan, the son of Uranus and Gaia, and father (by an Oceanid named Clymene or Asia) of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. == Mythology == Iapetus ("the Piercer") is the one Titan mentioned by Homer in the ''Iliad'' (8.478–81) as being in Tartarus with Cronus. He is a brother of Cronus, who ruled the world during the Golden Age. His name derives from the word ''iapto'' ("wound, pierce") and usually refers to a spear, implying that Iapetus may have been regarded as a god of craftsmanship, though scholars mostly describe him as the god of mortality. Iapetus's wife is normally a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys named Clymene or Asia. In Hesiod's ''Works and Days'' Prometheus is addressed as "son of Iapetus", and no mother is named. However, in Hesiod's ''Theogony'', Clymene is listed as Iapetus' wife and the mother of Prometheus. In Aeschylus's play ''Prometheus Bound'', Prometheus is son of the goddess Themis with no father named (but still with at least Atlas as a brother). However, in Horace's Odes, in Ode 1.3 Horace describes how "audax Iapeti genus/ Ignem fraude mala gentibus intulit"; "The bold offspring of Iapetus (Prometheus )/ brought fire to peoples by wicked deceit". The sons of Iapetus were sometimes regarded as mankind's ancestors, and as such some of humanity's worst qualities were said to have been inherited from these four gods, each of whom were described with a particular moral fault that often led to their own downfall. For instance, sly and clever Prometheus could perhaps represent crafty scheming; the inept and guileless Epimetheus, foolish stupidity; enduring Atlas, excessive daring; and arrogant Menoetius, rash violence.〔Smiley, Charles N. "Hesiod as an Ethical and Religious Teacher", ''The Classical Journal'', vol. XVII, 1922; pg. 514〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Iapetus (mythology)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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