Pandora

In Greek mythology Pandora was the first woman on Earth, bestowed upon humankind by Zeus as a punishment for Prometheus’ theft of fire who gave it to humanity. Entrusted with a box containing all the ills that could plague people, she opened it out of curiosity and thereby released all the evils of human life. The meaning of her name, Pandora was all-gifted, implying all the gifts she had received from gods.

Outraged at Prometheus’ mockery, Zeus decided to take revenge and get even with him. Zeus charged Hephaestus, the god of smiths and master of crafts, with creating a dazzlingly beautiful woman, one that would appear irresistible to either god or man. To accomplish this feat Aphrodite, the goddess of love, posed as a model for the creation of the statue.

Draped in raiment fit for the gods, she was presented to Epimetheus, Prometheus' half-brother. Epimetheus had been told by his brother never to accept any gift from Zeus because Zeus was still angry with him. However, one look at Pandora was all it took for Epimetheus to fall in love with her and marry her without thought or consideration.

 

The woman was molded of earth and water and once the body was ready, the Four Winds breathed life into it. She was then given gifts from all the Olympian gods. Aphrodite gave to her unparalleled beauty, grace and desire. Athena clothed her and taught her to be deft with her hands. Poseidon bestowed on her a pearl necklace that would prevent her from drowning. Apollo taught her to play the lyre and to sing. Hermes, the messenger god, gave her a cunning, deceitful mind and a crafty tongue along with a gift from Zeus as a gift for their marriage with an explicit warning that she must never open it, come what may. Last but not least Hera gave her the wiliest gift, curiosity. 

Pandora kept thinking that maybe the box contained money, nice clothes or even jewelry and one day she decided to unlock it. Hera's gift of curiosity had worked. She lifted the lid only for a while. Pandora had released all the wickedness and malevolence that Zeus had locked into the box: sickness, death, turmoil, strife, jealousy, hatred, passion.

Pandora looked at the box that had turned rusty and a calming feeling shrouded her. Along with the evil feelings, she had also revealed hope, the only good thing that Zeus had trapped inside the box. From then on, hope would live with people when they felt everything was coming to an end.