Which Greek work by Hesiod describes Pandora as the source of troubles for humanity?
Answer
Works and Days
Answer
Works and Days
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Pandora as the source of troubles for humanity.
Works and Days is a didactic poem combining advice about farming and justice with mythological explanations. Its Pandora episode explains why human life includes toil and suffering after Prometheus steals fire for people. Zeus responds by arranging the creation and delivery of Pandora.
The poem describes a container from which evils escape, with hope remaining inside. This is the principal ancient source behind the expression “Pandora’s box,” even though the original object is generally identified as a pithos, or large storage jar.
The Theogony also mentions Pandora, but it does not present the complete jar-opening episode in the same way. The Iliad and Odyssey are Homeric epics and are not the source of this particular story.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026