According to Hesiod, why was Zeus first angry at mankind?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Prometheus’ trick at the sacrificial feast (the so-called “contest” at Mecone) provoked Zeus’ first anger at mankind.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts:
- Hesiod’s account (in Works and Days and the Theogony) recounts a sacrificial deception by Prometheus. 
- The story explains the origin of human access to meat and fire, and Zeus’ motives for punishing humanity (and Prometheus). 
- Key figures: Prometheus (the cunning Titan), Zeus (king of gods), and later Pandora (a separate consequence).

2) Step-by-step reasoning based on the Hesiodic narrative:
- Prometheus arranged a division of a sacrificial ox into two portions at Mecone: one portion appeared attractive (white fat covering) but actually contained bones, the other looked unattractive but hid the good meat. 
- He invited Zeus to choose his share. Zeus selected the outwardly pleasing portion (the bones and fat), leaving the edible meat to humans. 
- Zeus recognized the deceit: he had been tricked into taking the inferior portion. This deception was the immediate cause of his first anger directed at mankind.

3) Sequence and intermediate logical steps:
- Prometheus’ deliberate arrangement -> Zeus’ choice -> realization of the trick -> Zeus’ anger. 
- As a result of this trick, Zeus punished humans by withholding fire (leading Prometheus to steal fire back) and later devised Pandora to bring other evils.

4) Why the correct answer is correct:
- Hesiod explicitly frames Zeus’ initial anger as the reaction to being tricked at the sacrifice. The trick explains subsequent punitive actions (withholding fire, creation of Pandora), so it is the primary provocation.

5) Why other possible answers are incorrect:
- “Because Prometheus stole fire” is incorrect as the first cause: the theft of fire follows Zeus’ initial anger; it is a response by Prometheus to Zeus’ punishment. 
- “Because Zeus created Pandora” is incorrect: Pandora is a later instrument of Zeus’ punishment, not the initial cause of his anger. 
- Any answer blaming later consequences reverses the chronological order Hesiod gives.

6) Conclusion:
This explanation confirms the correct answer: Because Prometheus tricked him into giving them a better portion of meat.

According to Hesiod, why was Zeus first angry at mankind?单项选择题

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