''Hellenic Mythology'' _ Part 8 ''Pandora's box myth''

giosou (62)in #history • 7 years ago (edited)

Hi all !
Have a nice Friday.
In my previous part I wrote about the myth of Prometheus and his relation to human kind.
In this post you 'll read about Pandora's box. If you like myths stay tuned.

The Pandora's box myth

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Etymology

The name Pandora is composed from the Hellenic words Παν(every/everything) and Δώρα(gifts) and it means the one who bears all gifts within .
Mythology refers to her as to the first mortal woman. She is also known as the reason for the suffering of human kind because of her curiosity.

The trick

As Prometheus was the creator of Humans he was watching their evolution closely and had many times tricked the Gods in order to help them.
In order to please Gods he learned the Humans to sacrifice animals in the name of the Gods. But at some point they had to decide which part of the sacrificed animal should the Gods keep and which the Humans.
Prometheus decided once more to trick the Gods once again in favor of Humans. He split an ox in two parts. In one piece he put the skin, the flesh and the giblets covered with the animal's belly, and in the other he put the bones from which he had removed the meat and covered it with the white and shining fat.
Then he called Zeus to chose which part he wanted for the Gods and naturally Zeus picked the most shining and delicious looking piece for themselves.
This was it ! Zeus had enough with Prometheus and Humans. He decided not to let them use the fire , never again !
The rest of the story about how Prometheus stole the fire is Known as you read it in my previous part .

The avenge

Zeus ordered Hephaestus to create from mud a female mortal with human voice. So he did. He created a masterpiece.
Athena gave her life and teach her how to weave and get dressed.
Aphrodite taught her the art of love and made her beautiful.
Hermes taught her how to charm and trick others.
Therefore she was given the name Pandora.
This creation was given as a gift to Epimetheus who didn't listen to his brother's advice , never take a gift from Gods because there will always be a trap behind it !
Epimetheus fell in love with Pandora and got married to her. For their marriage Zeus gave to Pandora a beautiful box(it was an urn made from clay), but she told her never to open it .
For a long period the couple was extremely happy although Pandora was wondering what this box could have in. One day when Epimetheus was missing she decided to open it...

Because of curiosity

...before she realize what was in the box all the bad was released in the air !

SICKNESS, DESPAIR, EVIL, GREED, AGING, DEATH, HATE, VIOLENCE, CRUELTY and WAR !

Pandora was extremely frightened and shut the box with force but the evil was done !
Finally Zeus' trap managed to avenge Humans and their creator !

But a remain was left inside ....