In Hesiod’s account, Prometheus stole fire from the gods before Pandora arrived.
Prometheus’ theft of fire is the event that sets the Pandora episode in motion. Fire symbolizes practical knowledge and human technological power, allowing people to cook food, work metals, and survive more effectively. Hesiod presents Zeus as responding to Prometheus’ trickery and theft with punishment directed at both Prometheus and humanity.
The myth is not a scientific account of how humans discovered fire. It is a theological explanation of why human life includes labor, hardship, and limits while also possessing valuable skills. Later writers expanded Prometheus into a champion of human progress and creativity.
Because the stories are often condensed, readers may reverse the sequence. Pandora does not cause Prometheus to steal fire; in the traditional narrative, the fire theft comes first and helps explain why Zeus sends her.