Pandora's Temple: The Vault of Pandora's Box
Pandora's Temple was a vast trap-laden temple built upon the back of the wandering Titan Cronos to house Pandora's Box and keep it from the enemies of Olympus. After 2,500 years of failed attempts by countless heroes, Kratos became the only mortal to reach the Box within.
Pandora's Temple, also called the Temple of Pandora, was a temple raised by the architect Pathos Verdes III on the orders of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades to house Pandora's Box, the most powerful weapon a mortal could wield. Its many traps and guardians were made to keep the Box from any who would turn it against Zeus and Mount Olympus. The temple stood chained to the back of the wandering Titan Cronos, and for 2,500 years no one who entered ever reached the Box. The only mortal to ever do so was Kratos.
A vault for the most dangerous weapon#
The building of Pandora's Temple was the largest architectural undertaking of its age. On the counsel of Hephaestus, Pandora's Box was to be stored on the back of the Titan Cronos, so that the smith god might protect his daughter Pandora, who had been created to serve as the key to the Box. To make this possible, riders mounted on pegasi tied Cronos down, allowing the temple to be raised and chained to the Titan's back. Once free, Cronos wandered the Desert of Lost Souls, carrying the temple with him.
The trials of the temple#
Because the temple traveled upon Cronos through the desert, anyone seeking it first had to cross the Desert of Lost Souls, resist the song of the Sirens, and slay all three of them before they could even reach its gates. As construction had gone on, the temple came to reflect the growing madness of Pathos Verdes III. The earliest tasks within were straightforward, but the later ones grew far more demanding and gruesome. In the end, Pathos used the bodies of his own family members as part of the trials before taking his own life.
Many heroes and soldiers attempted to breach the temple, but none of them succeeded, and all died to its many traps and guardians. The temple was littered with the bodies of those who had tried and failed. When Kratos made his own attempt, soldiers were still inside, battling its guardians, and he even came upon one survivor still living within its halls.
The only mortal to reach the Box#
No one before Kratos had ever reached Pandora's Box. After crossing the desert, defeating the Sirens, and completing every challenge the temple held, the Spartan became the first and only person ever to claim it. Among the relics and dangers found within its bounds were the Blade of Artemis, the Shield of Hades, the Shield of Zeus, the Handle of Atlas, Poseidon's Trident, the Necklace of Hera, the Necklace of Aphrodite, and the Army of Hades. With the Box at last in his hands after 2,500 years, the door of Pandora's Temple closed to Kratos for the final time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pandora's Temple in God of War?
- Pandora's Temple was a vast trap-laden temple raised by the architect Pathos Verdes III on the orders of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades to house Pandora's Box. Its many traps and guardians were made to keep the Box from any who would turn it against Mount Olympus.
- Where was Pandora's Temple located?
- The temple stood chained to the back of the wandering Titan Cronos, in the Desert of Lost Souls. On the counsel of Hephaestus, the Box was stored on Cronos's back, and riders mounted on pegasi tied the Titan down so the temple could be raised and chained to him.
- Why did Pandora's Temple have such cruel trials?
- As construction went on, the temple came to reflect the growing madness of Pathos Verdes III. The earliest tasks were straightforward, but the later ones grew far more demanding and gruesome, and in the end he used the bodies of his own family members as part of the trials before taking his own life.
- Who was the only person to reach Pandora's Box?
- Kratos was the only mortal ever to reach the Box. After crossing the Desert of Lost Souls, resisting the song of the Sirens and slaying all three, and completing every challenge the temple held, the Spartan claimed the Box after 2,500 years in which no one else had succeeded.
Gallery
Images via God of War Wiki
Sources
- WikiPandora's Temple — God of War Wiki entry
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Amphitrite
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Aphrodite
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The Cerberi were a race of fierce multi-headed hounds, most of them kept as the beasts of Hades in the Underworld. Kratos faced them across many of his journeys, from the breeders of Pandora's Temple to the Mole Cerberus that had swallowed Jason and the Golden Fleece.
Cronos
Cronos was the Titan of Time and Harvest, last and mightiest of the Titans born to Gaia and Ouranos. He overthrew his own father, was overthrown by his son Zeus, and was condemned to bear Pandora's Temple before dying at the hands of Kratos.
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Cyclops
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Hades
Hades was the Olympian God of the Dead and ruler of the Underworld, the eldest son of Cronos and brother of Zeus and Poseidon. He kept the balance of life and death over the Greek world until Kratos turned his own Claws against him and tore out his soul, loosing chaos upon the realm of the dead.
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