What Gift Did Hermes Give to Pandora?

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman created by the gods. She was given a jar (sometimes referred to as a box) that contained all the evils of the world.

The story goes that Pandora was warned not to open the jar, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she did so anyway. All the evils escaped and spread throughout the world, leaving only hope inside.

But before Pandora was given this fateful jar, she received a gift from Hermes, messenger of the gods and god of commerce and thieves.

According to Hesiod’s Works and Days, Hermes gave Pandora “a dog’s mind and a thievish character.” This has been interpreted in various ways by different scholars.

Some say it means she was untrustworthy or had a tendency to steal. Others think it means she had an animalistic nature or was cunning like a dog.

In addition to this, some versions of the myth say that Hermes also gave Pandora a beautiful necklace or garland as a gift. This is sometimes referred to as “Pandora’s Necklace.”

The necklace is said to have been made by Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking. It was adorned with all sorts of precious gems and metals and was said to be incredibly beautiful.

Some versions of the myth also suggest that this necklace had magical powers. It could make its wearer irresistible to others or bring good luck.

Regardless of what exactly Hermes gave Pandora, it’s clear that his gift played an important role in setting up the events that would follow. Without her thievish nature or beautiful necklace, Pandora may not have been tempted to open the jar and release all the evils into the world.

In conclusion, while most people focus on what Pandora received from Zeus -the infamous jar containing all evils- it’s important not to forget about Hermes’ gift too -whether it be her thievish nature or her beautiful necklace- as it played a crucial role in the myth of Pandora.