In Greek mythology, Epimetheus was the first human to receive Pandora after Zeus sent her to Earth.
Epimetheus was the brother of Prometheus, whose name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with Prometheus, or “foresight.” Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus accepted Pandora when she arrived. Hesiod uses this contrast to reinforce the brothers’ different kinds of judgment.
Pandora’s arrival is not presented as an accidental encounter. Zeus sends her as part of the punishment connected with Prometheus’s theft of fire, and Hermes escorts her to Epimetheus. Their meeting connects the divine creation story with the human world and begins the chain of events involving the container.
Some later retellings describe Pandora as Prometheus’s partner because Prometheus is the more famous figure in the surrounding myth. In Hesiod’s account, however, Epimetheus is the recipient who accepts Pandora despite his brother’s warning.