In Greek mythology, Hephaestus crafted Pandora’s body from clay in Zeus’s plan. Hesiod describes Pandora as an artificial woman fashioned by the gods after Prometheus gave fire to humanity. Hephaestus, the divine smith, shaped her form at Zeus’s command.
The other gods then contributed qualities or gifts. Athena taught her useful crafts, while Aphrodite gave her beauty and desire. Hermes supplied a deceptive or crafty character and a persuasive voice. These details make Pandora a collective divine creation rather than the work of a single god.
The familiar phrase “Pandora’s box” is also a translation mistake. Hesiod used the Greek word pithos, meaning a large storage jar, not a small box. The box image became dominant through later retellings and translations, especially after Erasmus used a Latin word meaning box or casket.