Opening Pandora's Box. Phrases We Borrowed from the Classics and the Stories Behind Them

We regularly employ classically-derived expressions in our everyday language, yet many of us have little understanding of the origin of these common phrases. This title offers a look at the stories behind the expressions. It provides an introduction to classical mythology, and also offers insights into our language.

To open Pandora's Box is to get yourself into trouble through unwise curiosity. It has been one of those days. You've worked like a Trojan, displaying titanic strength and stoic endurance in order to overcome the Herculean labours that have faced you in order to meet that deadline. We regularly employ classically-derived expressions in our everyday language, yet many of us have little understanding of the origin of these common phrases. But an incomplete classical education need no longer be your Achilles heel. "Opening Pandora's Box" offers a light-hearted yet fascinating look at the stories behind the expressions. For example, did you know that the phrase 'the face that launched a thousand ships' originates from the story of the kidnapping of Helen of Troy, but the actual line comes from a poem by Christopher Marlowe? "Opening Pandora's Box" provides a useful introduction to classical mythology as well as giving an insight into our language.