In Greek mythology, Hephaestus crafted Pandora from clay on Zeus’s instructions.
Hesiod’s account presents Pandora as an artificial woman created by the gods. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the divine smith, to form her from earth or clay. Other gods then gave her qualities and gifts, including clothing, adornment, and persuasive speech. Her name, Pandora, is commonly interpreted as “all-gifted” or “all-giving.”
Pandora’s creation belongs to the punishment Zeus devised after Prometheus stole fire for humanity. Zeus sent Pandora to Prometheus’s brother, Epimetheus, who accepted her despite Prometheus’s warning not to accept gifts from Zeus. This story links Pandora with the arrival of suffering and hardship among humans.
A common mix-up is crediting Prometheus with creating Pandora because Prometheus is associated with shaping or helping humanity in other traditions. In Hesiod’s story, however, Hephaestus performs the physical crafting, while Zeus directs the plan and the other gods contribute gifts.