In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Epimetheus receives Pandora after Prometheus warns his brother.
Prometheus and Epimetheus are Titan brothers whose names reflect contrasting qualities. Prometheus is associated with forethought, while Epimetheus is associated with afterthought. Prometheus understands that gifts from Zeus may be dangerous and tells Epimetheus not to accept anything from the god.
Epimetheus nevertheless accepts Pandora. Hesiod’s story uses this decision to explain how Zeus’s punishment reaches humanity. Pandora is presented as a beautiful, irresistible gift, and Epimetheus’s failure to heed the warning illustrates his characteristic lack of foresight.
Epimetheus is sometimes confused with Prometheus because both appear in the same myth and both are connected with humanity’s fate. The brothers have different roles, however: Prometheus opposes Zeus by helping humans and stealing fire, while Epimetheus accepts Pandora. Pandora later becomes Epimetheus’s wife in the mythological tradition.