In Hesiod’s Pandora story, whom does Zeus send Pandora to marry?

In Hesiod’s Pandora story, Zeus sends Pandora to marry Epimetheus. Epimetheus is a Titan whose name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with his brother Prometheus, whose name suggests forethought.

Prometheus warns Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus accepts Pandora anyway. The marriage places Pandora in the household where the famous sealed vessel is opened, releasing troubles among humans.

The episode is part of Zeus’s retaliation after Prometheus steals fire for humanity. Pandora is therefore introduced not as an accidental visitor but as a divinely prepared bride sent to Epimetheus. Hesiod uses the marriage to connect the creation of Pandora with the consequences of Prometheus’s defiance.

Modern versions sometimes describe Pandora as Prometheus’s wife, but that is incorrect in Hesiod’s account. Prometheus is Epimetheus’s brother and the fire-bringer; Epimetheus is Pandora’s husband in the traditional story.