In Hesiod’s story of Pandora, Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus. The warning establishes the brothers’ contrasting personalities before Pandora enters the story.
Prometheus had already angered Zeus by stealing fire and giving it to humanity. Zeus then arranged Pandora’s creation and dispatch as part of a punishment directed at humans and at Prometheus’s supporters. Prometheus recognized the danger and advised his brother Epimetheus to reject anything sent by Zeus.
Epimetheus ignored or failed to follow the warning and accepted Pandora. The myth thus uses the brothers’ names and actions as a contrast between foresight and hindsight. Prometheus is associated with anticipating danger, while Epimetheus understands the consequences only afterward. This detail is separate from the later question of which god gave Pandora particular gifts.