PLATO "PROTAGORAS"(320d – 321B5)

THE BEGINNING OF MAN'S CREATION

There was once a time when gods existed, but mortal races did not exist. And when the time predetermined by fate for their birth came for them too, they are molded by the gods in the earth from a mixture of earth and fire, and from what is mixed with earth and fire.

And when the time came to bring them to light, gods ordered Prometheus and Epimetheus to adorn and distribute to each of them means of protection as they deserved. Epimetheus then begs Prometheus to let him do the distribution. "And since," he said, "I do the sharing, do the inspection";

So after convincing him, he makes the distribution. So by distributing, to others gave power without speed, but he supplied the weakest with speed; He also equipped others, and because he did not give some physical equipment he devised some other ability to save them.

Those, indeed,which enclosed in a small body, he gave to them the ability to flee by flying or to dwell in the earth; and what he did greatly, by this he himself again saved; So he shared the other qualities by balancing the differences. All this he sophisticated, because he was very careful in order not to let any race disappear. And having provided them enough to avoid mutual annihilation,he was wise means protective of the changes of weather sent by Zeus, covering them with dense hair and solid skins, capable of protecting from the cold, suitable for the heat,and also, when they go to sleep, let them themselves be a mattress and a covering exclusively theirs and natural, and tying some with hooves, and others [with hair and] with skin hard and insenstive.

After this he gave different kind of food to each, to other greens from the ground, to other tree fruits, and to other roots; In some he left their food to be the flesh of other animals and reduced reproduction in carnivores, while in those eaten by them, he increased it, thus ensuring perpetuation in their species.