In Hesiod’s Pandora story, Epimetheus received Pandora into his home.
Epimetheus was the brother of Prometheus, whose name is often explained as “afterthought,” in contrast with Prometheus, whose name is associated with forethought. Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus after Prometheus warned him not to accept gifts from Zeus. Epimetheus nevertheless accepted her.
The contrast between the brothers is central to the myth’s structure. Prometheus anticipates danger and tries to protect humanity, while Epimetheus acts only after events have unfolded. Pandora’s arrival and the opening of the vessel are therefore linked to a family relationship, not to Prometheus directly marrying or receiving her.
Later retellings sometimes blur Epimetheus and Prometheus, especially when they compress the myth into a short moral tale. Hesiod’s account keeps them distinct. Epimetheus is also associated with the distribution of qualities among animals in another mythic episode, where he uses up the available traits before reaching humanity and must rely on Prometheus’s intervention.