Elpis is the Greek name of the hope that remains in Pandora’s vessel.
Elpis is personified in Greek mythology as the spirit or goddess of hope. In Hesiod’s account, the destructive forces escape from Pandora’s container, but Elpis remains inside after Pandora closes it. English translations commonly render the word simply as “hope,” which can hide the fact that the passage refers to a named mythological concept.
The meaning is debated because ancient Greek elpis could mean expectation or anticipation, not only optimistic hope. Some interpretations see the remaining Elpis as humanity’s consolation: hope survives even after suffering enters the world. Other readings ask why hope would be kept inside rather than released.
Elpis should not be confused with Eirene, the personification of peace, or Nike, the personification of victory. Those are separate Greek figures with different roles and names.