Works and Days is the ancient Greek poem that describes Pandora as a punishment sent to humanity after Prometheus stole fire.
The poem is attributed to Hesiod and is generally dated to the Archaic period, around the late eighth or early seventh century BCE. It combines practical advice about farming and justice with myths explaining the difficult conditions of human life.
Its Pandora episode follows Zeus’s anger after Prometheus deceives him and steals fire for mortals. Zeus orders the gods to create Pandora, sends her to Epimetheus, and associates her opened jar with the spread of disease and other evils. The poem also says that Hope remained inside.
Hesiod’s Theogony mentions Pandora-related material but does not provide the same detailed jar narrative. The Iliad and Odyssey are attributed to Homer and do not supply the principal account of Pandora’s creation and opening of the vessel.