In Greek mythology, Epimetheus received Pandora despite being warned not to accept gifts from Zeus. Epimetheus was Prometheus’s brother, and his name is commonly explained as meaning “afterthought,” contrasting with Prometheus, whose name suggests “forethought.”
Hesiod’s Works and Days says that Prometheus warned Epimetheus never to accept a gift from Zeus. Epimetheus ignored that advice when Pandora arrived, allowing Zeus’s planned punishment to reach humanity. Pandora then opened the container associated with the release of evils into the world.
Epimetheus is not simply a villain in the story. His role represents delayed understanding: he recognizes the consequences only after acting. Ancient myths often use paired characters to contrast foresight and hindsight, and the Prometheus-Epimetheus pairing does this especially clearly. Later retellings sometimes omit Epimetheus or replace him with an unnamed husband, but Hesiod specifically identifies him as Pandora’s recipient and companion.