In Hesiod’s Pandora story, Athena gave Pandora her clothing.
Hesiod describes the gods preparing Pandora before Zeus sends her to Epimetheus. Athena, the goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, crafts, and weaving, dresses Pandora and teaches her handiwork. This detail connects Pandora’s presentation to the cultural importance of textile work and carefully made clothing in ancient Greek society.
Pandora’s preparation is collaborative: she is not simply born as an ordinary human in the story. Multiple gods contribute to her appearance, abilities, and social presentation. That structure is part of the myth’s explanation for why Zeus’s creation appears attractive and impressive while carrying a hidden danger.
Readers sometimes assign the clothing to Aphrodite because Aphrodite contributes beauty and desire in many retellings. In Hesiod’s account, however, Athena is the goddess associated with dressing Pandora and teaching her craft.