Pandora, as in the Greek mythology, is derived from the word which has meanings like 'all' ,"gift", "gift from all","giver of all","all gifted" and she is the first woman. Greek mythology says she is created by Hephaestus. It was the order from Zeus to create a woman as a punishment for mankind. This was punishment for Prometheus' theft of Fire from Zeus(in the reason to help the mortals).
Prometheus known for wily intelligence stole the Fire from Zeus and gave it to the mortals. He has been known since then for his pivotal role. His character first appeared in the Hesiod's "Theogony" . Though the creator of this character ,Hesiod (8th BC epic poet) projects him as a helper of mankind somehow he remained as a lowly opponent to Zeus in the readers of Greek Mythology. He helped the mankind by giving the fire. Hesiod revisits Prometheus's character in his later work "Works and Days" and writes "Not only does Zeus withhold fire from men, but "the means of life," as well!". [ Here I stop about him which otherwise would take me in writing more about Prometheus and his heroics than our topic!]
This act of theft enraged Zeus and he sent Pandora as retaliation! She was accepted as gift(besides the warning from Prometheus) and she came with a Jar in her hands. That is the one history knows as the Box - Pandora's box.
Actually as the mythology says it was a jar.
Pandora's box also has its presence in Homer's lliad which is much older than Hesiod's Theogony.
Pandora was created from Earth and Water. All the gods her with many talents;Aphrodite gave her beauty, Apollo music, Hermes persuasion, and so forth. She was created with all the Seductive offerings from all the gods. That might be reason why her name is Pandora.
Epimetheus,brother of Prometheus married her after accepting her as gift from Zeus.
Pandora who was instructed not to open the jar anytime lets her curiosity win over her mind. She opens the Jar!
Jar had all the things that the mankind hadn't known till then. But nevertheless they were not in need of that[my opinion!].
The jar had "Hope" at the bottom of it but above "hope" there were all the evils. Thus she lets all the evils onto the mankind by letting the jar open.
Few things in the jar other than the evils as mentioned in the epics are ills, diseases, and burdensome labor! [Hmmm burdensome labor still prevails ;-)]
She hastened to close the lid of jar.In the act she was successful in closing the lid only before she lets the hope out of the jar, thereby only letting the evils out.
This was the answer in mythology to address the question "Why evils exist?". World's troubles started then and they have continued to challenge our mankind too :-)
Since then the word Pandora's jar has traveled from epics to our daily lives and thereby not letting us know few things by saying that is a 'Pandora's box'.. Correct it! Its a Jar.
Next time somebody says "Its a Pandora's box" then do not open the lid but make a hole from bottom and take out the hop.
Since we all need it! and our next generation needs it to stay calm even when living with "all evils"!
Before publishing this post, I take the question "Did Pandora really deserve the blame for releasing the troubles?". This post is brief enough not to know much about her. Here are my apologies because now I am really mixed up with feelings towards her ;-) Man,as epics say she is most seductive and she evokes strong desire in all who see her and wants to know her!!!!
Information Courtesy: Encyclopedia[Thank you!!]
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