In Greek mythology, Prometheus’s theft of fire led to Zeus creating Pandora as punishment.
Hesiod’s account connects the Pandora story with the conflict between Zeus and Prometheus. Prometheus tricked Zeus during a sacrifice and later stole fire for humanity, an act that improved human life but angered the king of the gods. Zeus responded by arranging punishment for both Prometheus and humankind.
Prometheus is commonly portrayed as a Titan who championed or aided humans. In Hesiod, however, his actions also form part of a darker explanation for why humans must work and endure hardship. Zeus orders the gods to make Pandora, and her arrival brings a new burden to humanity.
Other traditions portray Prometheus more sympathetically and add details absent from Hesiod. The later myth of his confinement and the eagle is especially famous, but it is not the direct answer to the Pandora question. Pandora’s creation is specifically tied to his fire theft and earlier conflict with Zeus.