The Myth of Pandora's Box

A long time ago in Ancient Greece, there lived two

brothers named Epimetheus and Prometheus. They

were good gods with very kind hearts. Zeus, the most

powerful of all gods, had hidden fire from mankind,

never allowing them to make tools or cook their

food. Prometheus, with his kind heart, thought this

was unfair.

The Myth of Pandora's Box​

Prometheus was clever and knew that on the Isle

of Lemnos lived Hephaestos, who was a blacksmith.

Zeus allowed Hephaestos to use fire to make things

for the gods. Prometheus travelled to Lemnos and

stole the fire from Hephaestos and gave it to man (he

also taught humans writing, medicine, mathematics and science).

The Myth of Pandora's Box​

Zeus was furious at Prometheus and as punishment,

chained him to the side of a cliff for many years.

Zeus decided that the humans also needed to be

punished for their lack of respect. Zeus was creative

when it came to revenge and came up

with a very cunning plan.

The Myth of Pandora's Box

He sculpted a woman out of clay. The goddess Athena breathed life into the clay and the woman came to life. Aphrodite made her beautiful and Hermes taught her how to be charming. Zeus called her

Pandora and sent her to Epimetheus, as he knew that he felt very lonely without his brother.

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Epimetheus went to visit his brother, Prometheus, who

warned him not to accept any gifts from the gods.

However, Epimetheus was so charmed by the beautiful Pandora that he thought she could never cause any harm.

Zeus was pleased that his plan was working and as a

wedding gift, gave Pandora a small, locked box, that had a sign saying "DO NOT OPEN".

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Why would someone send her a box and not allow her to open it?!

Pandora could no longer stand the torture of not

knowing what was in the beautiful box.

She placed the box on the floor and took the small gold key. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and unlocked the box. She pulled the box open, expecting to see fine silk dresses and jewellery. But there was not one gold bracelet or fine silk dress in sight!

Instead, Zeus had packed terrible evils into the box and out poured sickness, death, poverty and sadness in the form of a horrible black mass.​

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Pandora quickly slammed the lid shut, but it was

too late; the evils had already escaped into the world. Epimetheus heard her weeping and ran into the room to console her. Pandora could still hear a tiny voice inside the box, pleading to be released.

Epimetheus and Pandora thought that

nothing could be worse than the horrors that had already been released, so together they opened the box...

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Out fluttered HOPE in the form of a beautiful gold dragonfly, healing some of the sickness and sorrow.

Even though Pandora had released suffering and sadness upon the world, she had also released hope and this made all the difference in the world.

Humans would suffer but would not feel despair.​

The Myth of Pandora's Box