Pandora's box is an artifact in
Greek mythology, taken from the myth of Pandora's creation in
Hesiod's
Works and Days. The "box" was actually a large jar (πίθος
pithos) given to
Pandora (Πανδώρα, "all-gifted", "all-giving"), which contained all the
evils of the world. Pandora opened the jar and all the evils flew out, leaving only Hope inside once she had closed it again.