In Hesiod’s Greek myth of Pandora’s box, Zeus gave Pandora the container.
Zeus arranged Pandora’s creation as part of his punishment of humanity after Prometheus stole fire and gave it to mortals. In Works and Days, Zeus presents Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother. Prometheus had warned Epimetheus not to accept gifts from Zeus, but Epimetheus ignored the warning.
Hesiod’s version does not describe a small box. It describes a large jar, or pithos, containing destructive forces. Pandora opened it, and the contents escaped into the world. Only hope remained inside after she closed the vessel.
The name “Pandora’s box” became standard through later translations and artistic tradition. Erasmus of Rotterdam helped popularize the box wording in the sixteenth century, although the Greek object was more like a storage jar. Zeus is sometimes confused with Hermes because Hermes brought Pandora to Epimetheus in some versions.