Pandora by Jules Joseph Lefebvre
Another one of my favorites is the story of Pandora, which explains all the hardships and challenges facing humankind…
Pandora (all-giving) was the first woman to appear on earth, according to Greek Mythology. She was created by the gods and sent down to man to release upon the world all the misfortunes that could occur. Pandora had been created at the command of Zeus by the smith-god Hephaestus. The other gods and goddesses breathed into her surpassing beauty, charm, graciousness and cunning. They also gave her a vase to bring with her to earth and told her never to open it.
Prometheus (“forethought”) was able to resist the beauty of Pandora; but his brother Epimetheus (“afterthought”) at once took the beautiful creature to be his bride.
After the marriage Pandora opened up the sacred vase (sometimes called Pandora’s Box) and released upon the world all the ailments that it contained. Only Hope remained inside the vase, and it was Hope that enabled humankind to go on living despite all the adversity.
Source: Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z by Kathleen N. Daly
