What was the main item Pandora received that caused trouble for humanity?

The main item that Pandora received, which ultimately led to trouble for humanity, is commonly referred to as a box. In the myth, Pandora was given a container (often interpreted as a jar, but popularly known as a box) and instructed not to open it. However, her curiosity got the best of her, and when she did open it, all the evils of the world escaped, leaving only hope inside. This act symbolizes the release of human suffering and misfortune.

The term "box" has become a shorthand to describe this crucial element of the myth, even though the original Greek word used in mythological texts is "pithos," which more accurately means a type of storage jar. Despite the variations in wording, the consequences of Pandora's action are clear: the opening of the box led to the introduction of chaos and hardship for humanity.

Other choices like a curse, a gift, or a spell do not capture the specific nature of Pandora's story as accurately. While she received a gift in the form of the box itself, the primary issue revolves around the act of opening it, which unleashed the negative consequences that affected all of mankind. Thus, the notion of the box serves as the focal point of Pandora's myth and humanity