In this early myth, Pandora was created by Hephaestus out of clay and brought to life by the four winds, with all the goddesses of Olympus assembled to adorn her. “From her is the race of women and female kind,” Hesiod writes; “of her is the deadly race and tribe of women who live amongst mortal men to their great trouble, no helpmeets in hateful poverty, but only in wealth.”

Zeus sent Pandora to earth as “gift” from the gods, in retaliation after he realized that Prometheus stole the fire from the gods. Despite Prometheus’ warning, his brother Epimetheus accepted this “gift” from the gods. Pandora carried with her a jar (known as Pandora’s box) , from which were released “all evils, harsh pain and troublesome diseases which give men death”. Pandora managed to close the lid of the jar too late to contain all the evil plights that escaped, but hope remained in the jar... Trapping mankind...