Hesiod wrote the two surviving ancient Greek poems that tell the main story of Pandora. The relevant works are the Theogony and Works and Days, both traditionally attributed to this early Greek poet.
The Theogony gives a brief account of Pandora as part of Zeus’s punishment after Prometheus stole fire for humanity. Works and Days expands the episode, describing Pandora’s creation by the gods and the opening of the storage jar that releases human troubles.
Hesiod probably lived around the eighth or seventh century BCE, although the exact dates are uncertain. He is often studied alongside Homer as one of the earliest Greek poets whose works survive. Later writers and artists reshaped Pandora’s story, especially the vessel and the role of hope, but Hesiod remains the principal ancient literary source.