In the Pandora myth, which god is said to have shaped Pandora from clay?

In the Pandora myth, Hephaestus is said to have shaped Pandora from clay.

Hephaestus is the Greek god of fire, metalworking, craftsmanship, and invention. In Hesiod’s account, Zeus orders him to form Pandora, giving the story an artificial creation scene rather than a conventional birth. Other gods then contribute qualities, clothing, or skills to the newly made woman.

This episode connects Pandora with Hephaestus’s role as divine craftsman. Greek mythology frequently depicts him making exceptional objects for gods and heroes, including armor, weapons, and elaborate artifacts. Pandora’s creation places her among those products of divine workmanship.

The story is sometimes confused with later versions of humanity’s creation myths, in which a creator deity forms people directly from earth. Pandora’s construction is more specific: Hephaestus fashions her, while the wider group of gods supplies gifts. The result is a myth about divine design, punishment, and the origins of human hardship.