In Hesiod’s Greek mythology, what is Pandora described as being?

In Hesiod’s Greek mythology, Pandora is described as the first woman.

Hesiod presents Pandora’s creation in Works and Days, an ancient Greek poem generally dated to the seventh century BCE. The gods create her after Prometheus gives fire to humanity, and Zeus sends her to Epimetheus as part of a punishment directed at humankind. Her arrival introduces a female human presence into the mythic account of humanity.

Pandora is formed by the gods and given qualities associated with different divine figures. The story emphasizes that she is fashioned as a beautiful and persuasive figure, not simply born like an ordinary human. Hesiod’s account therefore combines creation mythology with an explanation for the hardships the poet associates with human life.

Modern retellings often focus almost entirely on the container she opens. In Hesiod’s version, however, Pandora herself is also central: her name is linked with the gifts of the gods, and her creation is part of the larger myth of why suffering entered the world. Later traditions expanded and changed details of her story.