In Hesiod’s Greek myth of Pandora, hope remained inside the jar after the other troubles escaped. The Greek name is elpis, a word that can mean expectation, anticipation, or hope.
Hesiod’s Works and Days says that Pandora replaced the lid after the destructive contents had escaped, leaving elpis inside. The text does not give a long explanation of why hope remained there, which has led readers to debate whether hope is presented as a benefit, a restraint, or something humans were denied.
Later retellings usually treat hope as a positive force preserved for humanity. This interpretation makes the story a balance between the arrival of suffering and the possibility of endurance. It is also why “hope at the bottom of Pandora’s box” became a familiar expression.
The myth should not be confused with a simple modern moral tale. Hesiod’s wording is brief and ambiguous, and classical scholars disagree about the precise force of the episode. Still, hope is the standard answer in both ancient discussions and modern adaptations.