In Greek mythology, Epimetheus accepted Pandora despite being warned by his brother Prometheus. The brothers’ contrasting names and actions are central to the story’s moral structure.
Prometheus is associated with forethought, while Epimetheus is associated with afterthought. Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus nevertheless welcomed Pandora. In Hesiod’s narrative, Pandora then opened the container and released the troubles stored inside.
The myth is sometimes simplified into the claim that Epimetheus personally opened the box. In the standard retelling, Pandora is the one who opens the jar. Epimetheus’s role is accepting her and failing to follow Prometheus’s warning, which links the episode to the brothers’ symbolic names.