In Hesiod’s account, Hephaestus shaped Pandora from earth before the other gods gave her gifts.
Hephaestus is the Greek god of fire, metalworking, craftsmen, and smiths. In Works and Days, Zeus instructs him to form a woman from earth. Other gods then contribute qualities or gifts, producing the figure named Pandora. This creation scene makes her a coordinated divine project rather than an ordinary human birth.
The name Pandora is traditionally explained as meaning “all-gifted” or “gifted by all,” reflecting the gifts supplied by the gods. Hermes is associated with giving her speech and carrying her to humanity, while Athena and Aphrodite are connected with attributes in later descriptions and interpretations.
Hephaestus is sometimes confused with Prometheus because both are connected with fire. Their roles differ: Hephaestus is the divine craftsman who shapes Pandora, while Prometheus is the Titan who steals fire for humans. Zeus’s punishment connects their actions within the larger myth.