This image shows the creation of Pandora, subject of an Ancient Greek myth. Although Pandora’s curiosity was said to have explained the source of all evils for mankind, I think the story does a better job showing how misogynist the Ancient Greek world was. In Hesiod’s work (7th c. BCE), the poet tells how Zeus demanded that the Gods and Goddesses create Pandora as a beautiful but deceitful first woman. He gave her a jar to open containing every evil that would harm and age men, doing that in revenge for the Titan Prometheus’ theft of the God’s fire. “As fire’s price I’ll give an evil thing, which all [men] shall cherish in their hearts, embracing their own scourge.” (translation Bruce MacLennan) Like Eve, Pandora becomes the first woman, responsible for all men’s sufferings.
