Find the Pithos

Finding the Pithos

Archaeology 101

Spring 2021

The pale sun drifted through the window of the classroom, as Professor Jay Langford began his lecture about finding Pandora’s Pithos. His notes were precise, he placed them on the lectern then began:

“Today, we are going to explore a concept of how evil came into our world. There are

a good many theories including Adam and Eve. Today, we are going to begin with

Pandora and a pithos. Normally we think of Pandora’s Box but that is the wrong translation

pithos means jar. It had the same use, however. Pandora is a type of theodicy, asking theodicy

begging the question of why there is good and evil in this world. Before Adam and Eve there

was Pandora. That is something we will discuss later; what were the contents of the pithos

that Pandora released on mankind. The same seven deadly sins of Christianity: Wrath,

Gluttony, Greed, Envy, Sloth, Pride and Lust.

This summer for those of you who wish to gain extra credit, we will be going to a dig

in Greece. Those interested please see me after class.”

Silence, the students, he thought maybe he had over stepped Pandora’s Box since he had noted the fact that it is very similar to what the bible said about the seven deadly sins. Professor Langford dismissed the class. He began to make preparations for his annual visit to Greece, perhaps this time he would discover Pandora’s pithos. That would make him an international figure. Beyond that it would give him recognition for his theory about how evil came into this world. That theory had almost cost him his job, several years ago.

Summer Dig Archaeology 101

“Mr. Tinsdale, have you remembered to bring scuba gear?”

“Yes, Professor Langford. I am truly looking forward to this dig, but why the scuba gear?”

“Mr. Tinsdale, we are going to be diving in the Thematic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. We

are seeking Pandora’s Pithos. Remember it resembles a jar not a box. We seek to

find it the answers of how evil began to take over the world. Theoretically, the pithos

was used to house what theologians refer to as the seven deadly sins.”

“Professor Langford, where are we going to be staying while in Greece?”

“Litochoro, the eastern gate to Mount Olympus. I have guides waiting for us there.”

Time was now of the essence; the Greek government gave them six weeks instead of the normal ten weeks. Langford had no idea why, but he would push himself and Alfred Tinsdale as hard as possible to meet the deadline. He had three men waiting in Litochoro for them. Their guide Adrian Adamos, Basil Adino and Belen Angelos to aide with the gear and boat they were renting. Everything was a go.

The morning of June 10, 2021, they boarded Aegean Airlines Flight 413. The sky was azure blue with high white clouds. Everything was perfect for their dig. They landed thirteen hours and nineteen minutes later. The Aegean Sea was the bluest water Alfred Tinsdale had ever seen. This dig, he knew meant a great deal to the Professor; he was more than willing to do whatever the Professor needed him to do. He was an excellent scuba diver, that did not hurt his application either; he decided.

They looked around the airport for Adrian Adamos, their guide, he had stated he would meet them there. Suddenly the Professor smiled as he noted the small, diminutive dark eyed man approaching:

“Adrian, my old friend how are you? This is my assistant Alfred Tinsdale.”

“Ah, I am glad to see you and to greet you Mr. Tinsdale.”

“Where do I store the gear? There is a lot of equipment.”

“I have a 2020 Range Rover Evoque, there is much room for equipment. The Caique

is ready with all of your needs you requested.”

Adrian, Professor Langford and Alfred began hauling the equipment toward the Range Rover, a silver-colored SUV with a sunroof. They headed toward Adrian’s home in Litochoro where they would spend the night. They settled into the rooms that Adrian had provided for them in cold stone home. Alfred declined dinner; he was exhausted. He fell asleep quickly, then he began to dream.

8BC

Zeus sent for Hephaestus:

“Hephaestus, I wish you to create a being so beautiful, I command you to mold her from the earth.”

“I will do so immediately.”

Hephaestus began a mental check list of gods and goddesses who he thought would contribute to making the creation a thing of beauty. Athena taught needlework and weaving; Aphrodite, shed grace upon her head and cruel longing and cares that tire men. Hermes gave her a shameless mind and very deceitful nature. He also could give her power speech, putting into her lies and words. Athena clothed her in the finest clothing. Persuasion and Charites would give her necklaces and other fine things. Horae would give her a garland crown. Hermes would give her the name Pandora. She was grace and beauty, the real deal. Zeus, called upon Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother. Prometheus warned his brother:

“Do not accept any gifts from Zeus.”

However, Epimetheus did accept the gift the lovely and beguiling Pandora. Zeus also placed into Epimetheus's keep a pithos; however, he did not tell him what the contents of pithos was. Pandora, curiosity aroused went to the brow earthen pithos with the engaging design. She promptly opened. Seven deadly evils escaped: wrath, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, pride and lust were on unleashed on an unsuspecting world. As the evils escaped, they appeared as a plague of black flies. One virtue remained, hope. “Only Hope remained there in an unbreakable home within under the rim of the great jar and did not fly out at the door; for ere that, the lid of the jar stopped her, by the will of Aegis-holding Zeus who gathers the clouds.” ...Theogony Hesiod’s poem.

Alfred began to toss and turn, his sheets wrapped around him as if there were something cold and frightening. Professor Langford and Adrian rushed to the room to discover Alfred wrapped up in the sheets and blankets yelling:

“Don’t take the lid off Pandora, please honor my wish!”

They went back downstairs, once Alfred settled back into a peaceful slumber.

The following morning, the men walked silently toward the Caique, boarding her rapidly. The sooner they began their dig the more opportunity they would have to find Pandora’s pithos. The boat slowly maneuvered its way toward the gulf. Alfred had a strange feeling about the area of the gulf they were going to explore. He felt the hairs on the back of his next rise to the occasion. Was it that dream he had last night about Pandora? No, he reasoned, that is ridiculous.

The men began to prepare for their first dive. Alfred went first, he swam toward the blackness of the gulf. Professor Langford and Adrian Adamos followed. The last sonar sweep had pointed them to an area just below the rocks where a cave appeared. Alfred swam toward the cave entrance waiting for the other two men to join him. Bubbles began to appear; however it was not the professor or Adrian it was a great white shark. Alfred could see the shark as it glided toward him. Was this how his life would end? Alfred said a short prayer; suddenly the professor and Adrian appeared. They began making noise to distract the shark. The shark swam toward the sounds then veered off in another direction. A sigh of relief went through the men; they followed Alfred into the cave. The cave walls had drawings depicting a woman, so beautiful that the divers just stared at her for several moments. The drawing had the woman in various stages of dress. Upon closer inspection they noted another woman dressing her. That woman was none other than Athena, goddess of wisdom. Somehow, this did not make sense, they were looking Pandora’s Pithos; however, Athena did dress Pandora in a silvery gown and embroidered vein, with garlands and her ornate crown of silver.

Professor Langford knew they must be very close to the discovery of the Pithos. Suddenly, Langford had a horrible thought; what if they found the Pithos, just what were they going to do with it? His answer came was wait and see if they find it first. He prayed silently the hope was still in the pithos. He maneuvered his way around the cave; his foot touched something. He moved his foot, bent down to find a Pandora’s pithos. He had actually found it, it existed. What an extraordinary find! He was so excited; he motioned the others over to where he stood. He picked up the pithos and showed the others the find of the century. The ultimate finds of his lifetime.

They ascended to the top of the water; climbed aboard the boat. Once the boat was underway, the professor, began to feel around the edge of the pithos. Something fluttered gently as he probed. He saw a small butterfly type insect emerge; it was hope.