In the Pandora myth, Hephaestus was ordered to shape Pandora from clay.
Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, metalworking, craftsmanship, and smithing. In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Zeus commands him to fashion Pandora’s body, giving the creation scene a strongly artisanal character. Other gods then contribute qualities, ornaments, or abilities to complete her presentation.
This episode is part of the myth’s explanation for how the gods produced a beautiful but dangerous gift for humanity. Pandora’s name emphasizes the gifts supplied by the gods, while the account also describes divine deception and calculated punishment.
Later summaries sometimes credit every part of Pandora’s creation to Hephaestus, but the ancient narrative distributes the work among several gods. Hephaestus makes the physical figure; the other deities provide additional attributes and gifts.