In Greek mythology, Pandora’s husband when she opened the jar containing troubles was Epimetheus.
Epimetheus was a Titan associated with hindsight and the consequences of poor judgment. His name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with his brother Prometheus, whose name means “forethought.” Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus welcomed Pandora.
Pandora was sent to Epimetheus after Zeus punished humanity for Prometheus’s theft of fire. She carried a sealed container holding destructive forces. Ancient Greek sources call it a jar, not a box; the “box” wording became popular through later translation and retelling.
Epimetheus is sometimes confused with Prometheus because the brothers are central to the same myth cycle. Prometheus is Pandora’s associate through the theft of fire, but Epimetheus is the husband named in Hesiod’s account. Their story helped make Pandora’s container a lasting symbol of unintended consequences.