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Works and Days
Hesiod
A didactic poem containing the myth of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Five Ages of Man. Provides insight into Greek religious and moral philosophy.
Notable Academic Translations
Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1914)M.L. West (1978)
Recommended Reading Order
Read lines 42-105 (the myth of Prometheus, Pandora, and the jar) followed directly by lines 109-201 (the Five Ages of Man) to understand Hesiod's view of the human condition.
Canonical Figures in this Text
Key heroes and divinities who feature prominently across the chapters of this work
Deities & Immortals
Zeus
Supreme Olympian ruler who hides fire and prosperity from humankind following Prometheus's deception
Lines 42-105
Prometheus
Titan champion of mortals who steals fire in a hollow fennel stalk, inciting Zeus's retribution
Lines 48-58
Hermes
Messenger god who guides Pandora to Epimetheus and instills within her a shameless mind and deceitful nature
Lines 67-85
Athena
Goddess of wisdom who clothes Pandora in silver robes and teaches her the art of weaving
Lines 72-76
Aphrodite
Goddess of love who sheds irresistible grace and heartbreaking desire upon Pandora's head
Lines 65-67Key Dramatic Scenes
Pivotal passages and mythological turning points recorded in this canon
- I
The Fashioning of Pandora
(Lines 60-89)At Zeus's order, Hephaestus kneads water and clay into a beautiful maiden, Athena robes her, Aphrodite bestows charm, and Hermes names her Pandora because all Olympians gave her a gift: a beautiful plague for men.
- II
The Opening of the Storage Jar
(Lines 90-105)Pandora removes the great lid of her jar, dispersing plagues, miseries, and weary labor among mortals, slamming the rim shut while only Hope (Elpis) remains within.
- III
The Myth of the Five Ages of Man
(Lines 109-201)Hesiod narrates the moral decline of humanity across five epochs: the peaceful Golden Age, foolish Silver Age, violent Bronze Age, noble Heroic Age at Troy and Thebes, and the bitter Iron Age.