In Hesiod’s Pandora myth, which figure became Pandora’s husband?

In Hesiod’s Pandora myth, Epimetheus became Pandora’s husband. His name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with his brother Prometheus, whose name is associated with forethought.

Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus after Prometheus had taken fire for humanity. Prometheus had warned his brother not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus ignored the warning. Pandora then entered his household, and the opening of the vessel followed in the mythic sequence.

The contrast between the brothers is central to the story’s structure. Prometheus represents planning ahead, while Epimetheus acts and understands the consequences afterward. Their names became proverbial in later Greek and European writing, especially when authors wanted to contrast foresight with hindsight.

Epimetheus is not the person who steals fire; that role belongs to Prometheus. He is also not the craftsman who makes Pandora in every version. Hesiod describes the gods’ collective creation of Pandora, while later artistic and literary traditions sometimes assign individual divine roles more prominently.