In Greek mythology, Hermes gave Pandora deceit, making her dangerous to humanity.
Pandora’s creation is a coordinated act by the gods. Hesiod assigns different gifts to different deities, and Hermes provides qualities connected with deception, persuasion, and a misleading mind. His role reflects his broader mythological identity as a messenger, trickster, and god associated with cleverness.
Pandora is not simply portrayed as evil in every modern retelling. The myth explains her as an instrument of Zeus’s punishment, assembled with attractive and persuasive qualities before being sent to Epimetheus.
The story is often simplified into “curiosity caused all evil,” but Hesiod’s account emphasizes divine planning and deception as well. The later English phrase “Pandora’s box” also shifts attention away from the original jar and the gods’ deliberate scheme.