In Hesiod’s myth, Epimetheus opened Pandora’s jar after accepting her from Zeus.
Epimetheus is a Titan associated with hindsight, a trait reflected in his name and in the contrast with his brother Prometheus, whose name is linked with forethought. Hesiod presents Epimetheus as the recipient of Pandora, despite Prometheus’s warning not to accept gifts from Zeus.
After Pandora arrives, she opens the container and the afflictions escape into the human world. The account therefore assigns the immediate action to Pandora, while Epimetheus’s earlier decision makes the event possible. Different later retellings sometimes simplify the story by saying that Pandora herself was given the jar or that she was explicitly told to open it.
Epimetheus should not be confused with Prometheus. Both are Titans in Greek myth, but Prometheus is connected with the theft of fire and humanity’s protection, whereas Epimetheus is the figure whose lack of foresight helps bring Pandora into the story.