In the Greek myth of Pandora, Pandora opened the jar and released its contents.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Pandora removing the lid from the large storage jar, after which diseases, toil, and other troubles spread among humanity. She then replaced the lid, leaving Hope inside. The ancient poem does not call the object a box; the familiar box image developed through later translation and retelling.
Pandora’s action is usually presented as the result of curiosity or temptation in modern versions, but Hesiod’s account is comparatively brief and does not develop the later popular characterization in detail. The poem’s main purpose is to explain why human life contains suffering and labor.
Epimetheus is often confused with the person who opened the jar because he is Pandora’s companion and accepts her despite Prometheus’s warning. However, the opening itself is attributed to Pandora.