Pandora's box

What is “Pandora’s Box”? The myth of Pandoraexplains how opening the box released all the evils into the world, leaving only hope inside.

Who was Pandora?

The name "Pandora" itself offers some clues. In Greek, the word “Pandora” translates to “all-powerful” or “she who possesses all gifts.” This refers to the many blessings bestowed upon her by the gods. Each deity gifted her with a specific talent or talisman.

- Athena He gave her intelligence.
- Aphrodite It gave her beauty.
- Apollo gave her music ability and so on.
In this way, Pandora was created to be «Perfect woman».

Pandora's Box in Greek Mythology

Pandora's Box in Greek Mythology

The phrase «The Pandora Box» is one of those expressions that are found in modern language and have their roots in Greek mythology, as are the expressions «The touch of Midas» and «Fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts».

Today, the term “Pandora’s Box” is generally used to describe the source of problems or a gift that is actually a curse. In Greek mythology, however, there was a real, physical “Pandora’s Box.”

Pandora's jar

According to the ancient Greek myth, it would be more accurate to refer to it as the “Pandora’s Jar” rather than “Pandora’s Box,” since the original Greek word was pithos, meaning a large storage vessel.

Jars like the pithos, along with amphorae, were common containers in antiquity used for storing and transporting goods.

The shift from “Pandora’s Jar” to “Pandora’s Box” occurred in the 16th century AD, when Desiderius Erasmus, in his work Adagia (1508), translated the word pithos as pyxis, meaning a container with a lid or a box. Adagia (1508), translated the word pithos as pyxis, i.e. a container with a lid or a box.

The Pandora Box

As the name states, the Pandora Box belonged to Pandora, the first mortal woman. Created by Hefestos Of clay, he came alive with his will Zeus And gifted with various gifts from the rest gods of Olympus.

Pandora was meant to be Titan's wife Epithea and brought with her to the wedding a box that Zeus had given her, but with strict order not to open it.

According to HesiodWhen the PrometheusHe stole fire from the heavens, and Zeus, the king of the gods, took his revenge by presenting Pandora to Prometheus’s brother, Epimetheus. Pandora opened a jar that had been left in her care, which contained disease, death, and many other unspecified evils, which were then released into the world. Although she hurried to close the jar, only one thing remained inside—usually translated as Hope, though it could also carry the pessimistic connotation of “deceptive expectation.”

The Punishment of Mankind

Pandora, however, was not a benevolent gift from the gods to Epimetheus, but part of the punishment that had been devised by Zeus for mankind.

His brother Epimetheus, Prometheus, he had stolen the fire from his workshop Hephaestus and had given it to people so that they would never be cold again. Furthermore, he had taught people how to perform sacrifices, keeping the best parts of the animals for themselves and leaving the scraps to the gods.

For these crimes, Prometheus He was severely punished, chained for centuries to a mountain in the Caucasus. Pandora, however, was part of Zeus’s more elaborate plan to punish humanity.

The Opening of Pandora's Box

Pandora brought to her wedding not only the box, but also curiosity. — One of the features that goddess Hera had given her.

Despite his warning ZeusPandora felt a strong desire to see what was hiding inside the box. Finally, curiosity prevailed and, slightly lifting the cap (or removing the cap), tried to take a look inside.

Without knowing it, the gods of Olympus had imprisoned in the box all suffering: toil, war, greed, disease and pain — things unknown until then to people. Although the box opened only a little, the opening was enough to release all these evils in the world. In the end, only one thing left in the Pandora Box: Hope.

Consequences for Humanity

After the Pandora Box was opened, people were forced to work hard to survive, toil in the fields and face injuries, diseases and diseases for the first time.

This generation of people came to an end with the coming of the Great Flood. However, Pandora's daughter, Pyrra, and his son Prometheus, the DeucalionsThey survived. Nevertheless, mankind’s suffering continued.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pandora’s Box

1. What's Pandora's Box?

The Pandora Box is a mythical object of Greek mythology, which was given to Pandora by the gods. When he opened it, all the sufferings of mankind were released, while only Hope remained inside.

2. Who was Pandora?

- Pandora is considered the first woman in Greek mythology. Created by Hephaestus at his command Zeus as punishment for people, after the theft of fire by Prometheus.

3. Was it really a box or something?

In his original narrative Hesiod, the object was not a box but a jar. The concept of «box» arose later, mainly due to translation error during the Renaissance.

4. Why did Zeus create Pandora?

- Zeus He wanted to punish people because Prometheus He gave them fire, symbol of knowledge and culture.

5. What suffering was released from the box?

According to legend, when the box was opened, diseases, pain, old age, toil, and all forms of evil that torments mankind spread.

6. What does the Hope that remained inside symbolize?

Hope symbolizes the power of man to continue despite difficulties. There are different interpretations: others see it as a comfort, while others as an illusion that keeps man on hold.

7. Who recorded Pandora's myth?

The most famous version of the myth comes from his works Hesiod, particularly from «Theogenia» and «Works and Days».

8. What is the relationship between the myth and Prometheus?

The myth of Pandora is a continuation of its history Prometheus, who stole the fire from Zeus to give it to people.

9. How the phrase is used today «Open Pandora's box»?

In modern language, the phrase means that an action can cause chained and uncontrolled consequences.

10. What is the basic message of the myth?

The myth highlights the concepts of curiosity, punishment, human weakness and hope as a necessary element of survival.