Which ancient Greek poem tells the full creation story of Pandora?

Hesiod’s ancient Greek poem Works and Days tells the full creation story of Pandora. The poem places the episode within a discussion of justice, work, farming, and the hardships of mortal life.

Works and Days is traditionally dated to the late eighth or early seventh century BCE. It is written in dactylic hexameter, the same broad poetic meter used in Homeric epic, but its subject matter is more directly connected with everyday labor and moral instruction. Pandora’s story appears as part of the explanation for why humans must work and suffer.

Hesiod also refers to Pandora in Theogony, but Works and Days provides the more developed account of her creation and the vessel associated with her. This distinction makes Works and Days the most specific canonical source for the story.

The poem’s title is sometimes confused with Theogony because both works are attributed to Hesiod and both discuss gods and cosmic origins. Theogony focuses primarily on divine genealogy and succession, whereas Works and Days expands the Pandora episode into a story about the origins of human misery.