In Hesiod’s Greek myth, evils escaped from Pandora’s jar after she opened it.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Pandora as a woman created by the gods and sent to Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus. Zeus intended the gift to bring trouble to humanity. When Pandora opened the container, destructive forces flew out and spread among people.
The story is often summarized as Pandora releasing every evil into the world, although the ancient Greek account uses a storage vessel rather than a modern box. The popular phrase “Pandora’s box” arose later through translation and artistic tradition. The myth also says that one thing remained inside after Pandora closed the vessel, creating a second major part of the story.