ABSTRACT
We come now to one of the most fascinating of the Greek myths, the myth of Prometheus and Pandora, which involves the creation of Pandora, the first woman. Hesiod presents this myth in both the Theogony and Works and Days, in two versions which differ in some respects. However, Pandora’s creation is only part of the myth of Prometheus’ rebellion against Zeus and its results, and the entire myth is of concern here. There is a great deal of depth to the ideas involved in this myth. The story of Pandora is the most outstanding part: it is, in effect, like the melody of a song, the pretty and attractive part of a complete musical composition, with the chord progressions, base and harmonies that provide its basis going largely unperceived. The creation of Pandora is in reality only part of a whole set of beliefs concerning the creation and early history of mankind which in Hesiod’s versions has been used to emphasize another aspect of the supremacy of Zeus. The beliefs are seen in the myths of Pandora and other material related to the creation and early history of mankind, some details of which are found outside the story of Prometheus and Pandora in the Theogony and Works and Days. These details are seen in other places in Hesiod’s work and in other sources.
