The myth recounts that Jupiter created the first woman, Pandora, as a punishment for Prometheus and his brother for stealing fire from heaven, and for humanity's acceptance of it. Fashioned by the gods, she was endowed with beauty by Venus, persuasion by Mercury, and music by Apollo, among other gifts.
She was sent to Epimetheus, who, despite his brother's warnings, welcomed her. In his house was a jar containing various evils, which had been sealed away. Overcome by curiosity, Pandora opened the jar, releasing a multitude of plagues—such as gout, rheumatism, envy, and spite—upon humanity. She quickly closed it, but only Hope remained trapped inside. Thus, even amidst all evils, hope never entirely abandons humankind.
An alternative version suggests Pandora was sent with good intentions, bearing a box of blessings for her marriage. By accident, she opened it, letting all the blessings escape except for Hope. This account seems more plausible, questioning how hope could reside in a vessel filled solely with evils.