Go easy…. I am teaching World Literature to my jr. And they were amazed with the whole myth since the only one they knew was that due to the Devil all these different bad spirits came to be. So if Pandora was the first woman on Earth how come she was created as a punishment for the mankind? Which mankind? I realize that you wrote this a loong time ago, I think you are trying to blend a bible story Adam and Eve with Greek mythology.
Just like Eve was the first woman in the bible, Pandora was the first woman in Greek mythology. In the bible Adam was the first man and God singular created Eve as a companion. Greek mythos the Gods plural created Pandora for Men plural. Hope that helps you and any others that may read this. It surprised me of the large number of people who did not know or had never heard of the myth. This was a very informational article and it was interesting to read about.
I read more into Greek Myths and found some other stories I was interested in. The story of Pandora came into prominence in Theogony , the epic poem of Hesiod, written in the 8th century BC. The myth dates back to the first centuries of humanity, just after the Titanomachy, the Great War between the Titans and the Olympians.
It is interesting to note that the reference to Pandora's Box came only in the 16th century from Erasmus of Rotterdam. The bottom line is that the entire story about Pandora was fabricated. It may be considered as a misogynist stand that the creation of woman was the harbinger of all evil on this world. All started from a gathering of the gods, where the Titans were also invited. The gathering had been organized to decide who would be favored with the better portion of a sacrifice.
Prometheus, the Titan who later stole the fire from the Gods and gave it to humanity, had deviously presented the sacrifice in such a manner that Zeus chose the portion that looked more appealing when in fact it was just bones presented in a tempting manner. Outraged at this mockery, Zeus decided to take revenge and get even with Prometheus.
Zeus charged Hephaestus, the god of smiths and master of crafts, with creating a dazzlingly beautiful woman, one that would appear irresistible to either god or man.
To accomplish this feat Aphrodite, the goddess of love, posed as a model for the creation of the statue. The woman was molded of earth and water and once the body was ready, the Four Winds breathed life into it. She was then given gifts from all the Olympian gods. Aphrodite gave to her unparalleled beauty, grace and desire. Hermes, the messenger god, gave her a cunning, deceitful mind and a crafty tongue. Athena clothed her and taught her to be deft with her hands.
Poseidon bestowed on her a pearl necklace that would prevent her from drowning. Apollo taught her to play the lyre and to sing. Zeus gave her a foolish, mischievous and idle nature and last but not least, Hera gave her the wiliest gift, curiosity. Thus, the first mortal woman was born and she descended down to earth. Her name was Pandora, meaning all-gifted, implying all the gifts she had received from gods. Along with her, Hermes gave a gilded and intricately carved box, a gift from Zeus with an explicit warning that she must never open it, come what may.
Draped in raiment fit for the gods, she was presented to Epimetheus, Prometheus' half-brother. Epimetheus had been told by his brother never to accept any gift from Zeus. Prometheus was well aware that Zeus was still angry with him for his effrontery at the gathering and would try to get his revenge. However, one look at Pandora was all it took for Epimetheus to fall in crazy love with her and marry her without thought or consideration.
He was truly enchanted with her. To congratulate them, Hermes came to the wedding ceremony and told Epimetheus that Pandora was a gift from Zeus, a peace-offer signifying that there were no more ill feelings between the chief of the gods and Prometheus. He also told Epimetheus that the gilded box of Pandora was a wedding gift from the Olympian King.
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Gill, N. Understanding the Significance of Pandora's Box. Prometheus: Fire Bringer and Philanthropist. Birth of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses. Top Special Animals in Greek Mythology.
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