In Greek myth, which god crafted Pandora’s human form from clay?

In Greek myth, Hephaestus crafted Pandora’s human form from clay.

Hesiod describes Zeus ordering Hephaestus, the divine smith, to make Pandora’s body from earth or clay. Other gods then contribute qualities, clothing, ornaments, or skills. This collaborative creation explains the tradition that Pandora received many gifts before being sent among humans.

Hephaestus is the Olympian god associated with fire, metalworking, craft, and the forge. His role in creating Pandora fits his traditional identity as the gods’ artisan. The story also echoes broader ancient ideas about humans being shaped from earth, although Greek myths contain several different creation traditions.

The exact assignment of every gift varies by source and translation. Hephaestus’s making of Pandora is among the clearest details in Hesiod’s account, while later artistic and literary retellings often rearrange the gods’ contributions.