Pandora

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman.

After Prometheus stole fire from heaven and bestowed it upon mortals, Zeus, king of the gods, became angry and swore revenge upon both Prometheus and mankind.

He commissioned Hephaestus (god of fire and patron of craftsmen) to fashion a beautiful woman out of earth in the likeness of a shy maiden. She was a sweet and lovely thing to look upon, and all the gods bestowed their choicest gifts upon her -- silvery raiment and a broidered veil, bright garlands and blooming flowers, and a crown of gold. She was named Pandora, which means "the gift of all." Pandora also had a trait no other mortal had ever been given: curiosity.

Before sending Pandora to earth, Zeus asked Epimethus, lord of earth's creatures and Prometheus's brother, if he would accept Pandora to help with mankind's work. Epimethus had been warned by Prometheus not to accept any gifts from Zeus, but Epimethus gave the warning no thought and agreed to accept Pandora.

Once on earth, the messenger god Hermes presented Pandora with a large box into which each of the gods had put something harmful. Pandora was asked to watch it until he returned and was warned sternly against opening the box under any circumstances.

However, Pandora's curiosity got the better of her; she had to know what was in the box. One day she lifted the lid and out flew evil, disease, death, sickness, hatred, war, crime, sorrow, and all other ills that afflict people. In terror, Pandora clapped the lid down, but too late. One good thing, however, was in the box -- Hope -- and it remains to this day mankind's sole comfort in misfortune.

Source: Mythology, by Edith Hamilton.