Epimetheus (Afterthought)
titanThe Titan whose name means afterthought — he accepted Pandora despite his brother's warning, unleashing suffering.
The Myth
Epimetheus was the brother of Prometheus and his opposite in every way. Where Prometheus thought ahead, Epimetheus acted first and reflected later. When the gods created all living creatures, Epimetheus was tasked with distributing qualities among them — speed to the hare, strength to the lion, shells to the tortoise. But he distributed so lavishly that when he reached humanity, no gifts remained. Prometheus had to steal fire and craft to compensate for his brother's poor planning. Later, when Zeus sent Pandora as a punishment for Prometheus's theft, Prometheus warned his brother never to accept gifts from the gods. Epimetheus, true to his nature, forgot the warning and married Pandora. She opened her famous jar, releasing disease, toil, and ten thousand sorrows into the world. Only hope remained inside.
Fun Fact
Epimetheus distributed all survival traits to animals before reaching humans — which is why we need technology.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Epimetheus
titanEpimetheus was Prometheus's dim-witted brother whose name means "afterthought" — he accepted...
Pandora
heroThe first mortal woman, created by the gods as a beautiful punishment for mankind. When she opened...
Prometheus
titanThe Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, earning eternal punishment....
Prometheus (Forethought)
titanThe Titan who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, suffering eternal punishment for...
Prometheus (Punishment)
titanTitan who stole fire from the gods for humanity and was chained to a mountain where an eagle ate...
Prometheus (Titan)
titanPrometheus the Titan was the creator and champion of humanity whose gift of fire sparked...
Titan Mnemosyne (Memory)
titanThe Titaness of memory who lay with Zeus for nine nights and bore the nine Muses, making her the...
Titan War (Titanomachy)
titanThe ten-year war between the Titans and the Olympians that reshaped the cosmos and established...
Atlas (Pillar of Heaven)
titanThe Titan condemned to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders at the western edge of the...
Iapetus
titanIapetus was the Titan whose sons shaped humanity's relationship with the gods more than any other...
Menoetius (Titan)
titanA Titan struck down by Zeus for his hubris and violent temper during the war between Titans and...
Clymene
titanAn Oceanid-Titaness best known as the mother of Prometheus, Atlas, and the other sons of Iapetus...