Pandora

Pandora was the first human woman in Greek mythology, crafted by the god Hephaestus following Zeus's instructions. According to Hesiod's account, each deity contributed unique gifts to her creation. She was also known as Anesidora ("she who sends up gifts"), a name inscribed beside her image on a white-ground kylix displayed in the British Museum.

The Pandora myth functions as a theodicy—explaining the existence of evil in the world. According to the story, Pandora opened a jar (pithos), commonly misrepresented as "Pandora's box," releasing all human sufferings and evils into the world. Scholars have argued that Hesiod's interpretation of Pandora influenced both Jewish and Christian theological traditions, perpetuating her negative reputation through the Renaissance period.

Pandora's compelling story has inspired countless poets, dramatists, painters, and sculptors throughout history, making her an enduring subject in Western art and literature.