In the myth of Pandora, Prometheus is punished by Zeus for giving fire to humanity. His defiance is the immediate background to Zeus’s creation of Pandora in Hesiod’s account.
Prometheus is a Titan, a divine generation older than the Olympian gods. Greek myths portray him as a benefactor of humans, especially in stories where he steals fire from Olympus or tricks Zeus during a sacrifice. Zeus responds with severe punishment, including the famous eagle-and-liver torment.
Pandora’s story functions as a second punishment directed at humanity. Prometheus warns his brother Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus accepts Pandora. The two myths are therefore closely connected, although they are told with different details in different ancient sources.