In Greek mythology, Prometheus’s stealing of fire led Zeus to send Pandora to humanity as punishment.
Prometheus was a Titan associated with foresight and with helping humanity. In Hesiod’s story, he deceives Zeus during a sacrifice and later takes fire for humans, an act that gives them a powerful advantage and angers the god.
Zeus responds with a punishment aimed at both Prometheus and humankind. He orders the creation of Pandora, who is presented to Epimetheus and brings the sealed vessel whose opening releases suffering.
This origin story is sometimes simplified into the claim that Pandora was personally responsible for creating evil. In Hesiod’s narrative, however, the chain of events begins with the conflict between Zeus and Prometheus. Pandora is the instrument of Zeus’s punishment, while Prometheus’s fire theft is the earlier provocation.