In the usual ancient account, Pandora’s husband was Epimetheus. His name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought” or “hindsight,” contrasting with his brother Prometheus, whose name means “forethought.”
Hesiod describes Prometheus warning Epimetheus not to accept a gift from Zeus. Epimetheus ignores the warning and receives Pandora, whom the gods have created as part of Zeus’s punishment for humanity’s theft of fire. Pandora later opens the container, releasing the troubles kept inside it.
Epimetheus belongs to the older Greek mythic generation of Titans. He and Prometheus are often described as sons of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, although ancient genealogies can vary. His reputation is defined by acting first and understanding consequences afterward.
The names create a deliberate contrast: Prometheus represents planning ahead, while Epimetheus represents learning too late. This wordplay is one reason their roles are easy to confuse. Prometheus is Pandora’s narrative counterpart, but Epimetheus is her husband.