Pithos was the ancient Greek name for the large jar in Hesiod’s Pandora story.
A pithos was a substantial storage vessel used in the ancient Greek world. Such jars could hold agricultural products and other supplies, making the term more specific than the general English word “jar.” Hesiod uses this word for the container that Pandora opens.
The famous English phrase “Pandora’s box” developed through later translation and reinterpretation. The shift likely reflects confusion or association with other Greek container terms, as well as the influence of Latin and Renaissance usage. The traditional title is now so familiar that it has become difficult to replace, even though “pithos” is more faithful to the ancient wording.
Krater, amphora, and lekythos were also Greek vessel types, but they had different shapes and uses. They are not the container named in Hesiod’s Pandora episode.