In Hesiod’s story of Pandora, who was her husband?

In Hesiod’s story of Pandora, her husband was Epimetheus. His name is commonly explained as “afterthought,” contrasting with his brother Prometheus, whose name is associated with forethought.

Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus accepted Pandora. Hesiod’s narrative places Pandora in the household of Epimetheus, where she opened the container and released the troubles held inside it.

The brothers’ contrasting names help structure the myth. Prometheus is the clever figure who helps humanity and steals fire, while Epimetheus represents delayed judgment. Their family relationship links the fire story and the Pandora story into one larger account of Zeus’s punishment.

Later retellings often focus on Pandora alone and omit Epimetheus, which can make the myth seem to have no human male character. In the ancient account, however, Epimetheus is essential to the plot: he is the recipient of Pandora and the brother whose impulsive acceptance enables the story’s central event.