In Greek mythology, Hermes gave Pandora her ability to speak and her deceptive nature.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Pandora as a woman fashioned by the gods after Prometheus gave fire to humanity. Each deity contributes something to her appearance, skills, or character. Hermes, the divine messenger, is associated with speech, persuasion, and cunning, so his contribution is often summarized as giving Pandora a deceptive or tricky mind and a voice.
The exact wording varies between translations of the ancient Greek poem. Some versions emphasize that Hermes placed lies, persuasive words, or a deceitful character in Pandora. This is different from saying Hermes created her: Hesiod presents the gods collectively as involved in her making, while the specific roles are distributed among several deities.
Pandora’s name means “all-gifted” or “given all gifts,” reflecting this collective divine contribution. The later phrase “Pandora’s box” also comes from a translation tradition; Hesiod’s original word refers to a large storage jar.