PANDO′RA, according to Hesiod, was the first mortal female. Vulcan made
her of clay, and gave her life. Venus gave her beauty; and the art of
captivating was bestowed upon her by the Graces. She was taught singing
by Apollo, and Mercury taught her oratory. Jupiter gave her a box, the
famous “Pandora’s Box,” which she was told to give to her husband,
Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. As soon as he opened it there
issued from it numberless diseases and evils which were soon spread
all over the world, and from that moment they have afflicted the human
race. It is said that Hope alone remained in the box.
“More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods
Endowed with all their gifts.”