In Hesiod’s Works and Days, evils escaped from Pandora’s jar after she opened it.
Hesiod describes Pandora as the first woman, fashioned by the gods as part of Zeus’s punishment of humanity after Prometheus stole fire. The gods gave her various qualities and gifts, and Hermes brought her to Epimetheus, who accepted her despite Prometheus’s warning.
Hesiod does not originally call the container a box. The Greek word is pithos, meaning a large storage jar. When Pandora opened it, the harmful troubles kept inside flew out and spread among humans. Hope remained inside because the lid was closed before it could escape.
Later retellings often say that “hope” escaped last, but that is not what Hesiod’s wording clearly says. The familiar phrase “Pandora’s box” comes from a later translation tradition, while “Pandora’s jar” is closer to the ancient Greek text.