In the Greek myth of Pandora, which man became her husband?

In the Greek myth of Pandora, Epimetheus became her husband. Epimetheus was the brother of Prometheus, the Titan associated with stealing fire and giving it to humanity. His name is commonly interpreted as “afterthought,” contrasting with Prometheus, whose name means “forethought.”

According to Hesiod, Prometheus warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus. Epimetheus ignored the warning when Pandora arrived, and the pair became linked to the disaster that followed her opening of the storage jar. This episode explains the myth’s connection between poor judgment and consequences.

Epimetheus is not the same figure as Prometheus. Prometheus is the more famous brother because of his theft of fire and punishment by Zeus. Epimetheus is important in the Pandora story because he accepts Pandora despite his brother’s warning.

Later Greek traditions connect Pandora and Epimetheus with the continuation of humanity after an earlier divine catastrophe. In those traditions, their daughter Pyrrha becomes the wife of Deucalion, a survivor of the flood myth.