In Greek mythology, Zeus gave Pandora to Epimetheus as a punishment connected with humanity receiving fire.
Prometheus had stolen fire from the gods and given it to humans. Zeus responded by arranging a punishment that affected both Prometheus and humanity. Pandora was created by the gods and sent to Prometheus’s brother Epimetheus, who accepted her despite Prometheus’s warning not to accept gifts from Zeus.
Hesiod’s Works and Days links Pandora’s arrival to the broader conflict between Zeus and Prometheus. The story therefore combines the origin of woman, the suffering of humanity, and the consequences of defying divine authority.
Different retellings emphasize different gods’ roles in making Pandora. Hephaestus fashions her body, while other gods contribute qualities, but Zeus is the deity who sends her as part of the punishment. That distinction separates Zeus’s role from the creation work performed by other gods.