In Greek mythology, who stole fire for humanity before the story of Pandora's Box?

The story behind the answer

In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire for humanity before the story of Pandora's Box.

Prometheus is a Titan associated with foresight and is famous for defying Zeus by taking fire from the gods and giving it to humans. Zeus punished him by having him chained to a mountain, where an eagle repeatedly attacked his liver; the organ regrew, making the punishment continual.

Hesiod connects this conflict to Pandora's creation. After Prometheus's theft, Zeus devised a punishment for humans and ordered the gods to create Pandora. She was sent to Prometheus's brother Epimetheus, despite Prometheus's warning not to accept gifts from Zeus.

The fire episode and Pandora story are related but distinct myths. Prometheus is not the craftsman who made Pandora—that role belongs to Hephaestus—and Epimetheus is the brother who received her.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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