Why did Hercules save Prometheus?

Hercules saved Prometheus as part of his Twelve Labors, specifically during his quest to retrieve the golden Apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. Prometheus had been punished by Zeus for giving fire to humanity, bound to a rock where an eagle would eat his liver daily. Hercules, known for his strength and heroism, freed Prometheus as a gesture of compassion and to demonstrate his own heroic values. This act also highlighted the theme of defiance against tyranny, aligning with Hercules' character as a champion of the oppressed.