Elpis was the Greek personification of Hope (the Roman equivalent was Spes). According the Hesiod 's famous story, Elpis was the last to escape the Pandora 's box. It can be debated whether she was really about "hope" as we understand it, or rather mere "expectation". In art Elpis is normally depicted carrying flowers or a cornucopia, but on coins she is almost invariably depicted holding a flower in her extended right, while the left is raising a fold of her dress. She was also named "ultima dea" - the last resort of men.