In Greek mythology, Hephaestus fashioned Pandora’s body from earth in Hesiod’s account.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Zeus ordering Hephaestus, the divine smith, to make Pandora from earth. The other gods then contribute qualities, clothing, ornaments, or abilities, creating a figure presented as a divinely assembled woman. This episode follows Zeus’s anger after Prometheus stole fire for humanity.
The story is sometimes simplified as saying that one god created Pandora entirely. In Hesiod, however, the creation is collaborative: Hephaestus shapes her physical form, while other deities add gifts. Her name is commonly interpreted as “all-gifted” or “gifted by all,” although the exact ancient nuance is discussed by scholars.
Modern retellings often depict Pandora emerging fully formed from a magical box. The earliest Greek version instead presents a jar and a staged divine creation before she reaches Epimetheus and humanity.