Legends: Pandora's Box
Start writing a post
Student Life

Legends: Pandora's Box

The story behind the woman who unleashed evils

170
Legends: Pandora's Box
Pexels

People have, at one point or another, heard about Pandora's Box. However, most people don't know the actual myth. So, today I figured I'd remedy that. This is the story of Pandora and her box of evils.

The story begins before the time of man. Zeus and his Olympian brethren were getting ready to end the war with the Titans. Prometheus was one of those Titans who had a special gift. Prometheus had the gift of prophecy and was able to see that Zeus was going to win. Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus pledged their loyalty to Zeus. After the war ended Zeus decided to reward the Titan brothers for their loyalty. They were the ones to create the beings to inhabit the earth. Epimetheus created the animals while Prometheus got to create humans. There was a slight issue with this arrangement. Epimetheus took all of the means of natural defense for his animals; things like horns, claws, and fangs. Prometheus thus gave humans the control over fire. This also allowed for offerings to Zeus in the form of most of the meat from a cow. This proved to be detrimental since the best parts of the cow were being sacrificed to Zeus instead of being eaten. Prometheus decided to try to fix it.


Prometheus went to Zeus with a simple question. "Which offering would you prefer?" and gave two choices. One of them was a cow's stomach filled with deliciously cooked meat that looked awful, and the other was a piece of tasty looking fat wrapped around a bone that looked better than it tasted. Zeus chose the fat-wrapped bone and thus set a precedent for future sacrifices. Zeus did not take this well and decided to take it out on humanity by taking their fire access. Prometheus saw this and again decided to fix it.


Prometheus went to Mt Olympus and took a sample of fire and brought it down to earth. When Zeus saw this he was furious at Prometheus. So furious that he had Prometheus chained to a rock and sent an eagle to rip out and eat Prometheus's liver which would then grow back overnight. As if that wasn't punishment enough, Zeus decided humans should pay the price for Prometheus's betrayal. So Zeus got the Olympians together to help him. Hephestus made a beautiful body out of clay and the 4 winds brought it to life. Athena gave her fancy clothes. Aphrodite taught her how to love. Hermes taught her how to lie. Most of Olympus gave her something which inspired her name. Pandora means "all gifted" or "all giving". She also is given a jar full of very very evil things for some reason. Zeus presented Pandora as a bride to Epimetheus. Epimetheus was warned by his brother to not accept any gifts from Zeus, but he immediately fell in love with his bride-to-be and completely ignored his brother's warning. As soon as he accepted Pandora she opened her jar of evils and let the contents plague the earth. Things like death, disease, and childbirth are all let loose upon the world. Only one thing stayed in the jar, hope, meaning humanity will always have hope.


There are a couple of interesting things about the original version of this story. First, the text doesn't read like Pandora is an idiot. She isn't portrayed as a curious dupe who accidentally opens her box of evil. She is actually supposed to be fairly smart and clever. Second, she is also portrayed as knowing what is in her box. The original text implies that she is definitely aware of the evils in her box and yet she still releases them. I hope you all enjoyed the story of Pandora.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58024
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37377
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959038
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192535
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments