In Hesiod’s Greek myth, Athena taught Pandora the craft of weaving.
Hesiod describes Pandora as being fashioned by the gods after Zeus decided to create a punishment for humanity. The divine gifts associated with her included practical skills as well as physical beauty and persuasive qualities.
Athena was the Greek goddess especially associated with wisdom, crafts, and textile work, so weaving fits her traditional role. Ancient Greek women’s textile production included spinning and weaving, activities that were important both economically and culturally.
The gods’ contributions differ between summaries and artistic retellings, but Athena’s association with giving Pandora weaving skill is a standard detail of the Hesiodic account. Aphrodite is instead associated with beauty and desire, while Hermes is connected with speech and deceptive manners.