In Greek mythology, which god sent Pandora to Epimetheus as a punishment for Prometheus stealing fire?

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In Greek mythology, Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus as a punishment connected with Prometheus stealing fire.

Hesiod’s account presents Pandora as part of Zeus’s retaliation against Prometheus, who had deceived Zeus and later given fire to humanity. Zeus ordered the gods to create Pandora, and each contributed qualities or gifts to her making. He then arranged for her to be taken to Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother.

Prometheus had warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus accepted Pandora. Hesiod’s story therefore links Pandora’s arrival to the conflict between Zeus and Prometheus, rather than presenting her as an accidental visitor.

This detail is sometimes confused with the separate question of who physically formed Pandora. In Hesiod, Hephaestus makes her from earth, while Zeus is the divine ruler who orders the plan and sends her to Epimetheus.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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