Epimetheus

Epimetheus (Επιμηθέας in Ancient Greek) is the Titan of afterthought, the father of excuses. He and his brother Prometheus were given the task of populating the earth with animals and men. However, Epimetheus quickly exhausted the supply of gifts allotted for the task in the equipment of animals, leaving Prometheus' masterpiece, mankind, almost completely helpless. As a result, his Titan brother was forced to steal fire from heaven to arm them. Zeus was angered by this theft and ordered the creation of Pandora, the first woman, as a means to deliver evil into the house of man. Despite the warnings of his brother, Epimetheus happily received her as his bride. But as soon as she arrived, she lifted the lid of a jar entrusted her by the gods, releasing a plague of harmful daimones (spirits) to trouble mankind. Only Hope (Elpis) remained behind to succor the unfortunate race.

Epimetheus and Pandora
In Greek mythology, Epimetheus was one of the more flawed Titans. He is often mentioned in conjunction with his famous brother Prometheus. Epimetheus means "afterthought", while Prometheus means "forethought". And as the personification of afterthought, the Titan Epimetheus is often contrasted with his more sensible brother in myth. This contrast between brothers is seen to good advantage in one of the most enduring and familiar stories of Greek mythology, and that is the tale of Epimetheus and Pandora. According to most sources on Mythology, Epimetheus was the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene. Even in birth, Epimetheus was described as foolish. Another story tells of how "foolish Epimetheus" was tricked by Zeus into accepting a gift that caused a group of evils to be unleashed on mankind. It is claimed that Prometheus first deceived Zeus and in return, Zeus sought his revenge by punishing the clever Titan. So Zeus devised a plan of his own and he drafted Athena and Hephaestus to help execute this plan. Zeus came up with the idea of designing a creature that was so enchanting that no one could resist her charms. It was Pandora, the first human woman. She was graced with a number of alluring attributes. Epimetheus was so taken with Pandora that he eagerly agreed to marry her. Epimetheus lived up to his name - afterthought - for not realizing what a dangerous creature Pandora really was. This is because according to the Greek myth of Pandora's box, it was Pandora who released all manner of evil into the world.

The Last Olympian
Epimetheus was mentioned by his brother, Prometheus, while he was explaining the story behind Pandora's Pithos.

Trivia

 * Epimetheus, a moon of Saturn, is named after him.