In Hesiod's Pandora myth, elpis is the Greek word used for the hope left inside the vessel.
Elpis is commonly translated as “hope,” but its meaning can also include expectation or anticipation. That broader range has made the ending of the story a subject of sustained interpretation. The text says that hope remains inside after the other destructive contents escape, but it does not provide a simple modern explanation of why it is retained.
Some readings treat hope as humanity's consolation in a world filled with suffering. Other interpretations ask whether hope is being preserved for humans or withheld from them. These debates concern the meaning of the ending, not the identity of the word itself.
Elpis is also personified in Greek tradition as a figure associated with expectation. It should not be confused with Nike, the goddess of victory, or Eros, the god associated with desire and love.