In Greek mythology, Prometheus was punished by Zeus after giving fire to humans before Pandora’s creation. His act is the central cause of the divine retaliation that introduces Pandora into the myth.
Prometheus is a Titan associated with intelligence, foresight, and opposition to Zeus. In the best-known version of the story, he steals fire from Olympus and gives it to mortals, allowing them to develop crafts and technology. Zeus responds by ordering Pandora’s creation as a separate punishment for humanity.
The punishment of Prometheus is often depicted as his being chained to a mountain while an eagle eats his liver, which grows back each day. That episode is closely related to the fire theft but is not the same event as Pandora opening her vessel.
Epimetheus is sometimes confused with Prometheus because the brothers appear together. Epimetheus accepts Pandora, while Prometheus is the Titan who steals fire and warns his brother not to accept Zeus’s gift.