In Hesiod's myth of Pandora, which god is ordered to create her?

In Hesiod's myth of Pandora, Zeus orders Hephaestus to create her. Hephaestus, the Greek god associated with metalworking, fire, and craftsmanship, shapes Pandora from earth as part of Zeus's response to Prometheus's theft of fire for humanity.

The episode appears in Hesiod's Works and Days. Pandora is not made by a single god acting independently; instead, Zeus instructs Hephaestus, while other gods contribute qualities or adornments. This collaborative divine construction helps explain why her name is connected with receiving gifts from many gods.

Later artistic and literary versions vary in how they portray the creation. Some emphasize a statue-like figure formed from clay, while others focus on the gifts given afterward. These differences reflect the long afterlife of the myth rather than a contradiction in the central story.

Hephaestus's role also fits his wider mythology. As the divine smith, he creates weapons, armor, jewelry, and other extraordinary objects for the gods. Pandora's creation places her among his legendary works, although the myth gives the act a darker purpose within Zeus's feud with Prometheus.