In Hesiod’s account, Hephaestus made Pandora’s human body from clay.
Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, metalworking, craftsmanship, and the forge. Zeus ordered him to fashion Pandora as part of a divine plan connected with the punishment of Prometheus and humanity. Hephaestus shaped her from earth or clay, giving the story a creation scene that resembles other ancient traditions about humans being formed from earthly material.
Other gods then contributed qualities or gifts. Athena taught Pandora crafts, while Aphrodite gave her beauty and desire. Hermes supplied persuasive speech and a deceptive character in Hesiod’s telling. The name Pandora is usually explained as “all-gifted” or “gift of all,” reflecting the gifts provided by the gods.
Later artistic and literary versions often compress these details, portraying Pandora simply as the first woman. Hesiod’s poem is more specific: her creation is a coordinated act by several gods under Zeus’s direction.