In Greek mythology, Hephaestus shaped Pandora from earth according to Hesiod’s Theogony.
Hesiod’s Theogony describes Pandora as being formed from earth by Hephaestus, the divine smith and craftsman. The gods then contribute qualities or gifts to her, creating the figure whose name means “all-gifted” in a common interpretation. This episode is part of Zeus’s response to Prometheus’s theft of fire for humanity.
Hephaestus is especially appropriate for the task because Greek myth presents him as a maker of divine objects, armor, weapons, and automatons. The account does not describe Pandora as a naturally born mortal woman. Instead, her creation is a deliberate divine act involving several Olympian gods.
Athena is connected with weaving and crafts and is associated with giving Pandora skill in some versions, which can cause confusion. Hermes also plays a role in the story by giving her speech or character traits in certain accounts. Apollo and Ares are not the deity identified by Hesiod as forming Pandora from earth.