In Hesiod’s Works and Days, whom does Pandora marry after Zeus sends her to humanity?

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In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Pandora marries Epimetheus.

Epimetheus is the brother of Prometheus, the Titan who steals fire for humanity. His name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with Prometheus, whose name is associated with forethought. Zeus sends Pandora to Epimetheus as part of the punishment connected with Prometheus’s theft.

Prometheus warns Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus ignores the warning when Pandora arrives. Hesiod’s narrative therefore links the couple’s marriage with the spread of suffering among humans, rather than presenting Pandora as an independent adventurer acting alone.

A frequent mix-up identifies Prometheus as Pandora’s husband because he is the central figure in the fire episode. In Hesiod, however, Prometheus is her husband’s brother. Later art, literature, and popular summaries often rearrange the relationships, so the specific source matters when answering this question.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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