In Greek mythology, Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora, the first woman. He did so as part of his punishment of humanity after Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to mortals.
According to Hesiod’s Works and Days, Zeus instructed the gods to make Pandora and give her various qualities. Hephaestus shaped her from earth, while other gods supplied gifts or abilities. Hermes gave her a deceptive nature and a voice, and Athena taught her crafts.
The story is often summarized as a punishment for Prometheus, but Pandora’s creation belongs to a larger conflict involving divine power, fire, and human suffering. Later retellings frequently call her container a box, although Hesiod described a large storage jar called a pithos. The phrase “Pandora’s box” became common through later translation and adaptation.