In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Pandora’s creation is presented as punishment connected with Prometheus. Prometheus has taken fire from the gods and given it to humanity, and Zeus responds by arranging the creation of a woman whose arrival brings a new burden to human life.
The story links Pandora to the wider Prometheus cycle, but Hesiod’s version differs from many modern summaries. The myth is not only about curiosity and a container; it also explains why humans must work and endure suffering despite possessing fire and other benefits.
Prometheus is often remembered primarily as a heroic benefactor. In Hesiod, however, he is also a challenger of Zeus whose actions provoke divine retaliation. His brother Epimetheus receives Pandora despite Prometheus’s warning in later versions.
The punishment relationship is therefore central context, even though Pandora is the figure named in the familiar expression.