In Greek mythology, Pandora opened a jar after receiving it from the gods.
The object is commonly called Pandora’s box, but the oldest surviving Greek versions describe it as a large storage jar. In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Pandora receives the jar and removes its covering, releasing troubles into the world. The story belongs to a larger account of humanity’s suffering after Prometheus gives people fire.
The word “box” became standard through later translation and artistic tradition. The Greek word pithos referred to a large ceramic container used for storing goods such as grain, oil, or wine. It was not necessarily a small box in the modern sense.
The myth is often retold as a warning about curiosity, but Hesiod’s version also explains why human life contains hardship while hope remains available. “Opening Pandora’s box” now means starting a chain of unexpected problems.